used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
adroitadjectiveUS /əˈdrɔɪt/
quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading In the angry mood which swayed him the delay was fortunate.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
ChateaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
an impressive country house (or castle) in France
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
Chien
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
Commines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
travel across or pass over
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading In the angry mood which swayed him the delay was fortunate.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
exasperatedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzæspəreɪtɪd/
greatly annoyed; out of patience
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading In the angry mood which swayed him the delay was fortunate.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
knapsacknounUS /ˈnæpsæk/
a bag carried by a strap on your back or shoulder
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
lessenverbUS /ˈlesən/
decrease in size, extent, or range
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/
temporary living quarters
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
lutenounUS /luːt/
a substance for packing a joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious to gas or liquid
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading In the angry mood which swayed him the delay was fortunate.
Mothe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
Noir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
owedverbUS /oʊd/
past form of “owe” — be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
Identical; not different.
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
sleeping-quarters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading In the angry mood which swayed him the delay was fortunate.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
unobservedadjective
not seen or observed
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading But the Chateau must first settle into sleep, and he had an hour or two to wait before he could safely go in search of them unobserved.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the angry mood which swayed him the delay was fortunate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That they were in the same block of buildings as his own, and on the same level, made it comparatively easy to find them.
whereaboutsnounUS /ˈwerəbaʊts/
the general location where something is
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the angry mood which swayed him the delay was fortunate.
which person or people
From this reading THE CROSS IN THE DARKNESS Two or three adroit questions addressed to the servant who showed him to his sleeping-quarters gave La Mothe a sufficient clue to the whereabouts of Commines' lodgings.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For the first time in his life his temper was exasperated against the man to whom he owed everything, nor did the sight of his knapsack and lute, sent from the Chien Noir, lessen the irritation.
