used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
ApachesnounUS /əˈpætʃiz/
plural of “apache” — any member of Athapaskan tribes that migrated to the southwestern desert (from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico); fought a losing battle from 1861 to 1886 with the United States and were resettled in Oklahoma
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
baronsnounUS /ˈbærənz/
plural of “baron” — a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
CASUISTnoun
someone whose reasoning is subtle and often specious
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
doorless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
doorwaysnounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪz/
plural of “doorway” — 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 The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
dugnounUS /dʌɡ/
an udder or breast or teat
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
and nothing more
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
loop-holes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
loopholed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
moundnounUS /maʊnd/
(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
partitionsnounUS /pɑːrˈtɪʃənz/
plural of “partition” — a vertical structure that divides or separates (as a wall divides one room from another)
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
go across or through
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
port-holed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
prehistoricadjectiveUS /ˌpriːhɪˈstɔːrɪk/
belonging to or existing in times before recorded history
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
quarried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
retrievedverbUS /rɪˈtriːvd/
Got or brought back something that was lost or hidden.
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
robbernounUS /ˈrɑːbər/
a thief who steals from someone by threatening violence
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
Scarboroughs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
siegenounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
make square
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
square-edged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
tumbledverbUS /ˈtʌmbəld/
past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading In Indian days the old Rock House had served to protect the settlers from Apaches; but now the Scarboroughs, like robber barons of old, had turned it into a castle.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
plural of “wall” — 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 In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
watchtowernoun
an observation tower for a lookout to watch over prisoners or watch for fires or enemies
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Beneath the floor of the kitchen a well had been dug, to supply water in case of a siege; and the huge square chimney was loopholed near the top, making a watchtower to command the level plain.
a Caucasian
From this reading In prehistoric days each stone had been quarried and carried on men's backs from the hills, but now their ancient city was a mound of tumbled rocks and its walls did new duty for the white man.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
windowless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CASUIST The Rock House of the Scarboroughs was windowless and almost doorless, a long port-holed fort built of square-edged stone retrieved from an Indian ruin.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The fort was built in frontier style, with narrow loop-holes in place of windows and doorways just wide enough to pass--two rooms opening south and two opening north, with solid stone partitions between.
