used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was no one about, and the iron-bound door was open.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
beechnounUS /biːtʃ/
any of several large deciduous trees with rounded spreading crowns and smooth grey bark and small sweet edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs; north temperate regions
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
castellatedadjective
having or resembling repeated square indentations like those in a battlement
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There was no one about, and the iron-bound door was open.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
an opposing military force
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
set up or found
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
hunting-lodge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Somebody's hunting-lodge," muttered Laval.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
iron-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no one about, and the iron-bound door was open.
jerkyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɜːrki/
lacking a steady rhythm
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
Laval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Somebody's hunting-lodge," muttered Laval.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading "Somebody's hunting-lodge," muttered Laval.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no one about, and the iron-bound door was open.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was no one about, and the iron-bound door was open.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading There was no one about, and the iron-bound door was open.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
raidersnounUS /ˈreɪdərz/
plural of “raider” — someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
rusticadjectiveUS /ˈrʌstɪk/
characteristic of rural life
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
cut with a saw
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
Somebody'snounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdiz/
possessive form of “somebody” — a human being
From this reading "Somebody's hunting-lodge," muttered Laval.
spannedverbUS /spænd/
inflected form of “span” — to cover or extend over an area or time period
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
stationaryadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪʃəneri/
standing still
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
moving very fast
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no one about, and the iron-bound door was open.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading The raiders knew that their safety depended on playing a tremendous game of bluff, and that before the news of their adventure spread.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
in or at the place that
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the Hands of the Enemy Some distance away, and seemingly on slightly higher ground, a light was shining, and a second light moved with a curious jerky motion and then disappeared.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Already a faint grey veil was creeping over the darkness, and at the end of several minutes they found themselves approaching a beech wood which clothed the base of a high hill, and saw that the stationary light came from a curious castellated building at the edge of the wood, where a rustic bridge spanned a swift stream.
