Chapter IX · A Friend from the Enemy

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

later than; following

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

a war measure that isolates some area of importance to the enemy

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

closed to traffic

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

-ing form of “bombard” — cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

divisible by two

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

more than is needed, desired, or required

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

firmly closed or secured

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

past form of “hinge” — attach with a hinge

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

located inward

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

having a point

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

past form of “reveal” — make visible

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

block consisting of a thick piece of something

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the season of growth

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

not in physical motion

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading They crept into the passage, closed the stone after them, and piled rocks and stones in front of it as an extra protection.

in a strange manner

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the criminal class

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “They are bombarding the place,” said Alan looking startled, “let us go through there,” and he pointed to the little passage that had been revealed to them so strangely.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A close examination revealed to them a hinged slab of stone that swung easily to and fro, and the spring that fastened it in place was plain to see on the inner side.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”

wanting in physical strength

From this reading Desmond, still weak, raised himself up, and looked about him; and even as he did so, a huge boulder fell from the blocked secret entrance that led to the city of the underworld.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “We can blockade it from the other side,” said Desmond, “and at least it will give us more time.”