used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
approveverbUS /əˈpruːv/
give sanction to
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
completely unclothed
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
barracksnounUS /ˈbærəks/
plural of “barrack” — a building or group of buildings used to house military personnel
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
next to; at the side of
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
clanged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
CONTESTnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
coolernounUS /ˈkuːlər/
a refrigerator for cooling liquids
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
Croix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
escapadenounUS /ˈeskəpeɪd/
a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
Frenchman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
obtain
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
grinningnounUS /ˈɡrɪnɪŋ/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
grufflyadverbUS /ˈɡrʌfli/
in a gruff manner
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
guard-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
hastyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪsti/
excessively quick
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
heatedadjectiveUS /ˈhiːtəd/
made warm or hot (“het” is a dialectal variant of “heated”)
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
issuingnounUS /ˈɪʃuːɪŋ/
the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
loungingverbUS /ˈlaʊndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/
an insignificant place
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
paradenounUS /pərˈeɪd/
a ceremonial procession including people marching
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
postsnounUS /poʊsts/
plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
cut with a saw
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
scurvynoun
a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
sentrynounUS /ˈsentri/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
soothedverbUS /suːðd/
past form of “soothe” — give moral or emotional strength to
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
squadnounUS /skwɑːd/
a smallest army unit
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
sunlitadjectiveUS /ˈsʌnlɪt/
lighted by sunlight
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading But De Croix had not waited; nowhere along the bare sunlit parade was he visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
WaylandnounUS /ˈweɪlənd/
(European mythology) a supernatural smith and king of the elves; identified with Norse Volund
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
(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 A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
WellsnounUS /welz/
prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)
From this reading I saw nothing but a squad of grinning soldiers lounging beside the barracks, until Captain Wells, issuing from the guard-house door, caught sight of me and came forward.
WITSnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading A CONTEST OF WITS Though I was never of hasty or violent temper, it was quite as well that I failed to gain a sight of De Croix as I passed the posts and the sentry clanged the gate behind me.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Frenchman's scurvy trick would have heated cooler blood than mine; nor was my spirit soothed by the harsh fall I suffered.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Back, are you, Master Wayland?" he said gruffly, and 't was easy to see he did not approve of my escapade.
