used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It revealed a dark hole and the top rounds of a ladder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It revealed a dark hole and the top rounds of a ladder.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading It did not reveal much, except beams and timbers and the rest of the ladder.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It revealed a dark hole and the top rounds of a ladder.
recognizable; marked
From this reading “Must go down into the hold,” decided Raynor.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not reveal much, except beams and timbers and the rest of the ladder.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “Must go down into the hold,” decided Raynor.
apart from; not including
From this reading It did not reveal much, except beams and timbers and the rest of the ladder.
flooringnounUS /ˈflɔːrɪŋ/
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The square piece of flooring swung upward.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Must go down into the hold,” decided Raynor.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading “Must go down into the hold,” decided Raynor.
an opening into or through something
From this reading It revealed a dark hole and the top rounds of a ladder.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “Must go down into the hold,” decided Raynor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It revealed a dark hole and the top rounds of a ladder.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading It revealed a dark hole and the top rounds of a ladder.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It did not reveal much, except beams and timbers and the rest of the ladder.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “Must go down into the hold,” decided Raynor.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It did not reveal much, except beams and timbers and the rest of the ladder.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The square piece of flooring swung upward.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading The square piece of flooring swung upward.
Raynor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Must go down into the hold,” decided Raynor.
rectanglenounUS /ˈrektæŋɡəl/
a parallelogram with four right angles
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading It did not reveal much, except beams and timbers and the rest of the ladder.
revealverbUS /rɪˈviːl/
make visible
From this reading It did not reveal much, except beams and timbers and the rest of the ladder.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading It revealed a dark hole and the top rounds of a ladder.
roundsnounUS /raʊndz/
plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading It revealed a dark hole and the top rounds of a ladder.
make square
From this reading The square piece of flooring swung upward.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The square piece of flooring swung upward.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The square piece of flooring swung upward.
timbersnounUS /ˈtɪmbərz/
plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading It did not reveal much, except beams and timbers and the rest of the ladder.
the upper part of anything
From this reading It revealed a dark hole and the top rounds of a ladder.
trap-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He held the lantern into the black rectangle left gaping by the opened trap-door.
directed up
From this reading The square piece of flooring swung upward.
