used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
speak to
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
AmazedadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
Beppo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
cloisterverbUS /ˈklɔɪstər/
surround with a cloister, as of a garden
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
commandantnounUS /ˌkɑːmənˈdɑːnt/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
down-bent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
Elise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
opinion or judgment
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
brought together in one place
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
a young female
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
destroyed or killed
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
the head of a state government
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
high-roofed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
ill-humoredadjective
brusque and surly and forbidding
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
and nothing more
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
ObviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
prevailingadjectiveUS /prɪˈveɪlɪŋ/
most frequent or common
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
refectorynoun
a communal dining-hall (usually in a monastery)
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GOVERNOR IS SURPRISED But the Lady Elise had not gone.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Passing from the cloister through the great arched doorway leading to the high-roofed refectory, she had stopped at the sight of a number of people gathered near the entrance.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At first she had merely glanced at them; then started, as, in the somewhat dim light prevailing there, her eyes became fixed upon one of their number.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
at the time that
From this reading Amazed, the girl was about to step forward to address him--or the commandant--when Beppo appeared from the cloister, walked toward the officer, and, in a low ill-humored tone, said something she could not hear.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Obviously a prisoner, he stood in the center of the group, with head down-bent, a hard, indifferent expression on his countenance.
