used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE RECKONING The big room was a maze of shadows.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
bedlamnounUS /ˈbedləm/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE RECKONING The big room was a maze of shadows.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he had the knife-fighter's inability to shoot straight.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
draftsnounUS /dræfts/
plural of “draft” — a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
From this reading Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But he had the knife-fighter's inability to shoot straight.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
hooksnounUS /hʊks/
large strong hand (as of a fighter)
From this reading Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
inabilitynounUS /ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪti/
lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something
From this reading But he had the knife-fighter's inability to shoot straight.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
knife-fighter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had the knife-fighter's inability to shoot straight.
mazenounUS /meɪz/
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading THE RECKONING The big room was a maze of shadows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE RECKONING The big room was a maze of shadows.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
outcriesnounUS /ˈaʊtkraɪz/
plural of “outcry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
with speed
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
RECKONINGnounUS /ˈrekənɪŋ/
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
From this reading THE RECKONING The big room was a maze of shadows.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE RECKONING The big room was a maze of shadows.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading THE RECKONING The big room was a maze of shadows.
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading But he had the knife-fighter's inability to shoot straight.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
sprayedverbUS /spreɪd/
past form of “spray” — be discharged in sprays of liquid
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
Stable-lanterns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
successive (without a break)
From this reading But he had the knife-fighter's inability to shoot straight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RECKONING The big room was a maze of shadows.
threadedadjectiveUS /ˈθredɪd/
(of bolts or screws) having screw threads
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
Toutou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toutou stayed his flight by the door to the courtyard, one ear inclined to the bedlam of shots and outcries that threaded the roar of the storm.
triggerverbUS /ˈtrɪɡər/
put in motion or move to act
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
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 Stable-lanterns, flickering in the drafts, hung from hooks in walls and pillars.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE RECKONING The big room was a maze of shadows.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As we burst in he raised a pistol and sprayed us with bullets as rapidly as he could pull the trigger.
