used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
constrainedadjectiveUS /kənˈstreɪnd/
lacking spontaneity; not natural
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
placed crosswise
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading DRIVEN TO THE WALL.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
fireless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
made afraid
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
depressingly dark
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
haltverbUS /hɔːlt/
cause to stop
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
intrudeverbUS /ˌɪnˈtruːd/
enter uninvited
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
the act of departing
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
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 For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
of an obscure nature
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
a human being
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
saturnineadjective
bitter or scornful
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
sorrowfuladjectiveUS /ˈsɑːroʊfəl/
experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
a state of acute pain
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DRIVEN TO THE WALL.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There would be a private interview, and then he would disappear, leaving behind him a gloomy shadow--her mother’s face sad and sorrowful, her manner constrained, and the evidence of intense mental suffering.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DRIVEN TO THE WALL.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
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 DRIVEN TO THE WALL.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tall, dark, saturnine, he was not a pleasant person to look at as he came to a halt upon the rug before the fireless grate and stood staring into her frightened face with eyes full of cold scrutiny.
at the time that
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her eyes rested upon his face with a wild stare of terror, which grew deeper and more intense as he crossed the threshold and closed the door behind him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
a late time of life
From this reading For years she had been accustomed to see this man at long intervals, when he would suddenly and unexpectedly intrude upon her mother with some mysterious errand.
