used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Dom Miguel handed me the candle and began turning the windlass.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
burnishedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Dom Miguel handed me the candle and began turning the windlass.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
diameternounUS /daɪˈæmətər/
the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
disclosedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskloʊzd/
made known (especially something secret or concealed)
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
Dom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dom Miguel handed me the candle and began turning the windlass.
domedadjectiveUS /doʊmd/
having a hemispherical vault or dome
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
door'snounUS /dɔːrz/
possessive form of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
foundationsnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃənz/
plural of “foundation” — the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading Dom Miguel handed me the candle and began turning the windlass.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
indentations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dom Miguel handed me the candle and began turning the windlass.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
Miguel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dom Miguel handed me the candle and began turning the windlass.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
and nothing more
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
not in physical motion
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
dependable
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
terminatedadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrməneɪtɪd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
thicknesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
trapdoor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Dom Miguel handed me the candle and began turning the windlass.
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The stairs led us beneath the foundations of the house and terminated in a domed chamber constructed of stone and about ten feet in diameter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
weldedverbUS /ˈweldɪd/
past form of “weld” — join together by heating
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
windlassnounUS /ˈwɪndləs/
lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds
From this reading In the floor of this chamber was a trapdoor, composed of many thicknesses of steel, and so heavy that it could be raised only by a stout iron windlass, the chain of which was welded to a ring in the door’s face.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This second plate, of highly burnished steel, was covered with many small indentations, of irregular formation.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Gradually but without noise the heavy door of metal rose, and disclosed a still more massive surface underneath.
