used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
ALIVEadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading BURIED ALIVE IN HIS ROOM.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
aperturenounUS /ˈæpərtʃər/
a device that controls amount of light admitted
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
boltsnounUS /boʊlts/
plural of “bolt” — a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
placed in a grave
From this reading BURIED ALIVE IN HIS ROOM.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
heelnounUS /hiːl/
the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
hero'snounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
possessive form of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BURIED ALIVE IN HIS ROOM.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BURIED ALIVE IN HIS ROOM.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
in like or similar manner
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
engage in
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
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 He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
not any; not one
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
robbersnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/
Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
Roland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading BURIED ALIVE IN HIS ROOM.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
except for; apart from
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
the state of being asleep
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
smote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
a state of social isolation
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
suffocationnounUS /ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃən/
killing by depriving of oxygen
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
required or under orders
From this reading As may be supposed, no air came to the sleeping rooms save through the mouth of the cavern; and as the aperture above our hero's door had been likewise closed, the air was oppressive almost to suffocation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
not known
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
at the time that
From this reading For some reason then unknown to Roland, there was no candle in his room when the robbers shut the bolts outside; so he was obliged to make the best of the darkness and the solitude through the long autumn evening.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading After a while he heard her voice in the tunnel and knew that she was coming.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He shook the door, smote it with his heel, and called aloud many times for Nancy.
