used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
having companions or an escort
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
agilitynounUS /əˈdʒɪləti/
the gracefulness of a person or animal that is quick and nimble
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
Ancenis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
placed crosswise
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
deputynounUS /ˈdepjəti/
someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
InspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/
a high ranking police officer
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
Mazeroux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
narroweradjectiveUS /ˈneroʊər/
comparative of “narrow” — not wide
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
pistolnounUS /ˈpɪstəl/
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
PrefectnounUS /ˈpriːfekt/
a chief officer or chief magistrate
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
done under pressure
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
staggeringadjectiveUS /ˈstæɡərɪŋ/
so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
steepernounUS /ˈstiːpər/
a vessel (usually a pot or vat) used for steeping
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
TearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
on a floor above
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
at the time that
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
people who are wounded
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
yellnounUS /jel/
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
but in spite of that
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
