used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
effectuallyadverb
in an effectual manner
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
executioner'snounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃənərz/
possessive form of “executioner” — an official who inflicts capital punishment in pursuit of a warrant
From this reading The public square, the executioner's gleaming knife, the roar of the populace!
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading THE FLIGHT THROUGH THE TOWN.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading The public square, the executioner's gleaming knife, the roar of the populace!
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
provoking horror
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading The public square, the executioner's gleaming knife, the roar of the populace!
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
a particular point in time
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The public square, the executioner's gleaming knife, the roar of the populace!
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
on one occasion
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
overpoweredverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈpaʊərd/
past form of “overpower” — overcome by superior force
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
populacenounUS /ˈpɑːpjələs/
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The public square, the executioner's gleaming knife, the roar of the populace!
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading The public square, the executioner's gleaming knife, the roar of the populace!
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading The public square, the executioner's gleaming knife, the roar of the populace!
sentrynounUS /ˈsentri/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
make square
From this reading The public square, the executioner's gleaming knife, the roar of the populace!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FLIGHT THROUGH THE TOWN.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Any moment guards might come from the palace, and then--oh, it was horrible!
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE FLIGHT THROUGH THE TOWN.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading THE FLIGHT THROUGH THE TOWN.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a critical situation for the three fugitives, crouching behind the heavy prison door.
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading That grim sentry over yonder by the gate must be noiselessly and effectually overpowered, and that at once.
