| contractor |
a person who signs an agreement to carry out a particular job at a certain price and also to supply necessary things for the job. A contractor often hires, supervises, and pays other people to help or to do the work. A person in charge of building or repairing a house is often a contractor. |
| gangway |
a path into, out of, around, or through something; passageway. |
| gulp |
to take large swallows of; drink or eat eagerly or rapidly (often followed by "down"). |
| parole |
the release of a prisoner before the time of punishment is finished. Prisoners who are given parole have behaved well in prison. When on parole, they must obey certain rules. |
| pastime |
an activity that makes the time pass in a pleasant way. |
| plain |
easily seen or heard; clear; visible. |
| respectable |
displaying good breeding, manners, or character. |
| secrecy |
the condition of keeping or hiding something from others' knowledge. |
| slack |
not tight; hanging loose; drooping. |
| testimony |
a statement made under oath before a judge in a court of law. |
| thread |
a fine cord used in sewing, weaving, and the like. Thread is usually made of two or more fibers such as cotton twisted together. |
| tournament |
a contest of skill including a series of games where those who lose one game may no longer take part. |
| unravel |
to undo; reduce from cloth to threads; cause to come apart. |
| virus |
a tiny organism that can reproduce only in living cells. Viruses cause disease in humans, animals, and plants. |
| whimper |
to cry in weak, broken sounds. |