used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Instantly Duncan realized the situation and came to his senses.
confidentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnfədəntli/
with confidence; in a confident manner
From this reading A moment later, some one confidently turned the door-knob.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Turning, he locked his door.
door-knob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later, some one confidently turned the door-knob.
DuncannounUS /ˈdʌŋkən/
United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)
From this reading Instantly Duncan realized the situation and came to his senses.
to come or go into
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
accept an excuse for
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
forgetfulnessnoun
tendency to forget
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
formalitynounUS /fɔːrˈmæləti/
a requirement of etiquette or custom
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
an established custom
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Turning, he locked his door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Turning, he locked his door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Instantly Duncan realized the situation and came to his senses.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
latchstringnoun
opener consisting of a string that can be passed through a hole in a door for raising the latch from outside
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A moment later, some one confidently turned the door-knob.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading Turning, he locked his door.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
the force of workers available
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
a particular point in time
From this reading A moment later, some one confidently turned the door-knob.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A moment later, some one confidently turned the door-knob.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
with little or no delay
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Instantly Duncan realized the situation and came to his senses.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading Instantly Duncan realized the situation and came to his senses.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Instantly Duncan realized the situation and came to his senses.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A moment later, some one confidently turned the door-knob.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading A moment later, some one confidently turned the door-knob.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Turning, he locked his door.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
unlockedadjectiveUS /ənˈlɑːkt/
not firmly fastened or secured
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
precisely as stated
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
someone who visits
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
(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 That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
which person or people
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
the act of creating written works
From this reading He abandoned his purpose of writing to Barbara, as an absurdity, and promptly unlocked the door to the visitor, making some sort of excuse for his forgetfulness in having fastened it.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading That was a very unusual proceeding on his part, as it was well understood that his "latchstring was always out" of an evening, and the young men, who were in the habit of reading in his room, were accustomed to open and enter at will, without the formality of knocking.
