used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
adventurernounUS /ædˈventʃərər/
a person who enjoys taking risks
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
aidingverbUS /ˈeɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “aid” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
anklenounUS /ˈæŋkəl/
a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
from appearances alone
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
blindlyadverbUS /ˈblaɪndli/
without seeing or looking
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
the act of breaking something
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
commissaire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
intentionally conceived
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
creatingverbUS /kriˈeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
placed crosswise
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
crushingadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌʃɪŋ/
physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
dislocatedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪsloʊkeɪtɪd/
separated at the joint
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
elementaryadjectiveUS /ˌeləˈmentri/
easy and not involved or complicated
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
extinguishedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
franticadjectiveUS /ˈfræntɪk/
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
freeingnounUS /ˈfriːɪŋ/
the act of liberating someone or something
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
fugitivenounUS /ˈfjuːdʒətɪv/
someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
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 As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
jerkedverbUS /dʒɜːrkt/
past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
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 His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
LanyardnounUS /ˈlænjərd/
a cord with an attached hook that is used to fire certain types of cannon
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
lungedverbUS /lʌndʒd/
past form of “lunge” — make a thrusting forward movement
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
mid-stride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
mishapnounUS /ˈmɪshæp/
an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
momentumnounUS /moʊˈmentəm/
an impelling force or strength
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
pain-maddened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
pistolnounUS /ˈpɪstəl/
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
Popinot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
porcelainnounUS /ˈpɔːrsələn/
ceramic ware made of a more or less translucent ceramic
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
prostrateverbUS /ˈprɑːstreɪt/
get into a prostrate position, as in submission
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
Identical; not different.
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
savate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
sergent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
sergent's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
short-circuitverb
hamper the progress of; impede
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
not in physical motion
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
switchverbUS /swɪtʃ/
change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Then the pain-maddened sergent crawled to his knees, lunged blindly forward, knocked the adventurer back in the act of rising, and fell on top of him.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
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 Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
well-aimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Followed a vivid flash, then complete darkness: with a well-aimed kick--an elementary movement of la savate--Lanyard had dislocated the switch of the electric lights, knocking its porcelain box from the wall, breaking the connection, and creating a short-circuit which extinguished every light in that part of the house.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading His momentum threw him with a crash--and may have spared him a worse mishap; for in the same breath he heard the report of a pistol and knew that Popinot had fired at his fugitive shadow.
wristnounUS /rɪst/
a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading As he brought one heel down with crushing force on the sergent's wrist, freeing his foot, he was dimly conscious of the voice of the commissaire shouting frantic prayers to cease firing.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading With his way thus apparently cleared, the police in confusion, darkness aiding him, Lanyard plunged on; but in mid-stride, as he crossed the threshold, his ankle was caught by the still prostrate younger sergent and jerked from under him.
