used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
Aslitta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
barsnounUS /bɑːrz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden rods supported on uprights
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
casemates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
citadelnounUS /ˈsɪt.ə.del/
A fortress protecting a city, metaphorically representing the invincible inner sanctuary of the rational mind.
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading What should he do?
opinion or judgment
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
footholdnounUS /ˈfʊthoʊld/
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
set up or found
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
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 He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
engage in
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
not any; not one
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
established beyond doubt
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
get by special effort
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
securedverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrd/
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading What should he do?
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
in the near future
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
subterraneanadjectiveUS /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
required or under orders
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He remembered that he had descended many steps, and he supposed that his cell was in the casemates of the citadel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
precisely as stated
From this reading He soon discovered that the cell was very narrow but high; about ten feet above his head he found an opening, secured by iron bars.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading All attempts to reach this proved futile, and he could secure no foothold on the slippery walls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What should he do?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN THE WELL The subterranean prison into which Aslitta had been thrown was dark as pitch, and it was a long time before his eyes became accustomed to the darkness and he could make out his surroundings.
