used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
admiralnounUS /ˈædmərəl/
the supreme commander of a fleet; ranks above a vice admiral and below a fleet admiral
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
Coligny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
exteriornounUS /ɪkˈstɪriər/
the region that is outside of something
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
flightsnounUS /flaɪts/
plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
GabrielnounUS /ˈɡeɪbriəl/
(Bible) the archangel who was the messenger of God
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
Jacques
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
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 Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
used to form the superlative
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
passage-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
PHILOSOPHERnounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
a specialist in philosophy
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
RuenounUS /ruː/
European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
sentinelnounUS /ˈsentənəl/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PHILOSOPHER AND A SOLDIER Coligny stopped at the beginning of Rue St. Jacques, before the low door of a house of mean exterior.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The door opened, and they went in.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
at the time that
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
wicketnounUS /ˈwɪkət/
cricket equipment consisting of a set of three stumps topped by crosspieces; used in playing cricket
From this reading He knocked: first a wicket in the door was opened, and then the door itself, when the invisible sentinel had recognized the admiral.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
worm-eatenadjective
infested with or damaged (as if eaten) by worms
From this reading Gabriel, following in the steps of his noble guide, passed through a long dark passage-way, and ascended three flights of worm-eaten stairs.
wretched-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they were almost under the roof, Coligny knocked three times with his foot at the door of the highest and most wretched-looking apartment in the whole house.
