used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
artificialadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrtəˈfɪʃəl/
contrived by art rather than nature
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
CRYPTnounUS /krɪpt/
An underground room or vault beneath an ancient building, often used for storage or burials.
From this reading IN THE SECRET CRYPT.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
exploreverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːr/
inquire into
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE SECRET CRYPT.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
go away from a place
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
engage in
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
not any; not one
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading IN THE SECRET CRYPT.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE SECRET CRYPT.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
not known
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He did not expect that he could explore to any great extent without the aid of artificial light; but he could see the manner of place it was immediately below him, and he might be able to determine something of its depth and general character.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Of course there was a way or means of closing and opening the trap from below; but he did not care then to stop for the investigation of that part of the problem.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading So he went out and took a survey around to make sure that no one else was in sight, then returned and made ready for the descent into the unknown regions.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Having discovered so much, our hero could not be content to leave the place without knowing something more.
