Chapter XXVI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

anew

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Is the lion at bay?

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading "Is the lion at bay?

at or toward the back of something

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

(fairytale) a monstrous villain who marries seven women; he kills the first six for disobedience

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading He stood in still, brave despair!

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

a person who shows fear or timidity

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading He stood in still, brave despair!

characterized by great determination

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

past form of “disdain” — look down on with disdain

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

plural of “dungeon” — the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Woe, woe to the hunter that stands in his way."

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

someone who hunts game

From this reading Woe, woe to the hunter that stands in his way."

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Woe, woe to the hunter that stands in his way."

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "Is the lion at bay?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading "Is the lion at bay?

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

come together

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

plural of “nest” — a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

not any; not one

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

and nothing more

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

a course of conduct

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

thrust or throw into

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading Woe, woe to the hunter that stands in his way."

not in physical motion

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading He stood in still, brave despair!

something that resembles a tapestry in its intricacy

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Woe, woe to the hunter that stands in his way."

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading "Is the lion at bay?

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Woe, woe to the hunter that stands in his way."

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

an irritating or obnoxious person

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

precisely as stated

From this reading He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Woe, woe to the hunter that stands in his way."

(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 He disdained the very idea of flight, though his path to safety still was open; he had only to plunge behind the tapestry, descend the dark stairs, and in the labyrinth of passages and dungeons they might as well have thought to track the vermin that haunted the tower to their nests as to find him again.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading _Bluebeard._ Whatever were L'Estrange's faults he was no coward, and now that the hour was come, he determined to meet it like a man.

misery resulting from affliction

From this reading Woe, woe to the hunter that stands in his way."