used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
from appearances alone
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
assaultnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
Barry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
basementnounUS /ˈbeɪsmənt/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
exhale hard
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
terminate
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
a boy or man
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
grillenounUS /ɡrɪl/
small opening (like a window in a door) through which business can be transacted
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
HarvardnounUS /ˈhɑːrvərd/
a university in Massachusetts
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
InstinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
LawrencenounUS /ˈlɔːrəns/
Roman martyr; supposedly Lawrence was ordered by the police to give up the church's treasure and when he responded by presenting the poor people of Rome he was roasted to death on a gridiron (died in 258)
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
a particular point in time
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
muddledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌdəld/
confused and vague; used especially of thinking
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
responsibleadjectiveUS /riˈspɑːnsəbəl/
worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
second'snounUS /ˈsekəndz/
possessive form of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
sidelongadjective
(used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
without speaking
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
with low volume
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
not in physical motion
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
stoopverbUS /stuːp/
bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
moving very fast
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
talleradjectiveUS /ˈtɔːlər/
comparative of “tall” — great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
thenceadverbUS /ðens/
from that place or that time
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
hard to endure
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Rising to his feet, but stooping low, he felt his way forward, went down a couple of steps, and pushed against the iron grille which gave access to a space under the stoop, and thence to the basement door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Instinctively, with his brain still a little muddled from the blow he had received, Barry crept silently through the gate, casting a swift, sidelong glance at the struggling pair.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without a second’s delay the Harvard man slipped through the gate and closed it softly behind him.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading He saw that the taller man was evidently getting the worst of if, and apparently trying his best to break away.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In another moment the fellow with the beard would be free—free to return and complete his work; for by this time Lawrence had come to the conclusion that he was the one responsible for the assault.
