used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
have
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
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 The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
NewtonnounUS /ˈnuːtən/
English mathematician and physicist; remembered for developing the calculus and for his law of gravitation and his three laws of motion (1642-1727)
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
outstretchedadjectiveUS /aʊtˈstretʃt/
fully extended especially in length
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
compacted by ironing
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
ragedverbUS /reɪdʒd/
past form of “rage” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
stoopverbUS /stuːp/
bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
moving very fast
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
male cat
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
precisely as stated
From this reading The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
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 He kept his hands outstretched, one in front of him and the other pressed against a side wall.
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 The house was not large, therefore the secret stairway built in the walls could not be very long.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
at the time that
From this reading Nor did he let his weight bear on his feet when descending from one step to another until he was sure it was firm and solid.
which person or people
From this reading It was so low that they had to stoop and, as the way was strange to them, Tom, who was in the lead, proceeded carefully.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading USING the utmost caution, though they felt quite certain their movements would be muffled by the noise of the storm that raged about the lonely house, Tom Swift and Ned Newton made their way through the narrow, dark passage.
