used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I had left it unlocked; and the moment after I touched the handle I was on the other side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
opinion or judgment
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
gratedverbUS /ˈɡreɪtɪd/
past form of “grate” — furnish with a grate
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
gropedverbUS /ɡroʊpt/
past form of “grope” — feel about uncertainly or blindly
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
hampersnounUS /ˈhæmpərz/
plural of “hamper” — a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading I had left it unlocked; and the moment after I touched the handle I was on the other side.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
an opening into or through something
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
and nothing more
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
immediately past
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I had left it unlocked; and the moment after I touched the handle I was on the other side.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
a particular point in time
From this reading I had left it unlocked; and the moment after I touched the handle I was on the other side.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
obstructionnounUS /əbˈstrʌkʃən/
any structure that makes progress difficult
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
on one occasion
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
and nothing more
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I had left it unlocked; and the moment after I touched the handle I was on the other side.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
repressverbUS /riˈpres/
put down by force or intimidation
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
only a very short time before
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
shuttingnounUS /ˈʃʌtɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I had left it unlocked; and the moment after I touched the handle I was on the other side.
make square
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
store-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
stumblingverbUS /ˈstʌmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading Then I groped about, stumbling over hampers and boxes now and then, and scarcely able to repress a cry at each fresh obstruction, until I came at last to the door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
having come into contact
From this reading I had left it unlocked; and the moment after I touched the handle I was on the other side.
unlockedadjectiveUS /ənˈlɑːkt/
not firmly fastened or secured
From this reading I had left it unlocked; and the moment after I touched the handle I was on the other side.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I gave one cry as my candle fell, and then, instinctively shutting my eyes, as if to hide from myself the dreadful fact that I was in darkness, I felt my way up the ladder out of that dreadful cellar into the store-room above.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading It was seven o’clock, and only just enough light came through the one little grated window high up in the wall for me to see that there was a window there.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But, once on the store-room floor, I crawled cautiously round the square hole I had come up through until I came to the door, which I shut down with a strong sense of relief.
