used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
apparitionnounUS /ˌæpərˈɪʃən/
a ghostly appearing figure
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
BARBARA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BARBARA.
basementnounUS /ˈbeɪsmənt/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
Bob'snounUS /bɑːbz/
possessive form of “bob” — a former monetary unit in Great Britain
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
divisible by two
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
greetverbUS /ɡriːt/
express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
humaneadjectiveUS /hjuːˈmeɪn/
pertaining to or concerned with the humanities
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
inferredverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “infer” — reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
inspiredadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪərd/
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
provided with artificial light
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
a particular point in time
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
used to form the superlative
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
murderousadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərəs/
characteristic of or capable of or having a tendency toward killing another human being
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
on one occasion
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
possessingverbUS /pəˈzesɪŋ/
-ing form of “possess” — have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
powerlessadjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərləs/
lacking power
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
with speed
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
cut with a saw
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
soundlyadverbUS /ˈsaʊndli/
deeply or completely
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
spectraladjectiveUS /ˈspektrəl/
of or relating to a spectrum
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I sat up in bed, and quickly lit a candle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bob was sleeping soundly, and I saw nothing in the room to alarm me; I was quite prepared to greet once more the apparition of my faithful companion, but as the cat was not in sight I inferred that it was contented with its quarters in the basement.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading On a small table by Bob's side lay his revolver, ready to his hand, and even in this moment of apprehension I smiled at the idea of my friend--the most humane man in the world--possessing so murderous an instrument.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I was thankful, however, that he had brought it; powerless as it would be against spectral foes it inspired me with confidence.
