used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
for the reason that
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Strangely terrified faces flitted by the open door of his little room.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/
not invading healthy tissue
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
DarrownounUS /ˈderoʊ/
United States lawyer famous for his defense of lost causes (1857-1938)
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
command with authority
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Strangely terrified faces flitted by the open door of his little room.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
one or the other of two
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Strangely terrified faces flitted by the open door of his little room.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Strangely terrified faces flitted by the open door of his little room.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
hungrilyadverbUS /ˈhʌŋɡrəli/
in the manner of someone who is very hungry
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
intimatedverbUS /ˈɪntəmeɪtɪd/
past form of “intimate” — give to understand
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
jailnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
McCarthynounUS /məˈkɑːrθi/
United States satirical novelist and literary critic (1912-1989)
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Strangely terrified faces flitted by the open door of his little room.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Strangely terrified faces flitted by the open door of his little room.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
in a strange manner
From this reading Strangely terrified faces flitted by the open door of his little room.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading Strangely terrified faces flitted by the open door of his little room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE GREAT SILENCE Percy Darrow sat quite calmly, though a little hungrily, through the first of the two hours of the Great Silence.
vaguenessnounUS /ˈveɪɡnɪs/
unclearness by virtue of being poorly expressed or not coherent in meaning
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
look attentively
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As it fell, he looked at his watch; then went on reading.
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading About seven o'clock Darrow, struck by a sudden idea, arose, walked down the corridor outside, and quite deliberately set to work to force the light door.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading As has been intimated, either by direct order of McCarthy or because of some vagueness of the orders, the young man had been confined, not in the jail proper, but in one of the living apartments of the wing.
