Chapter IX · A Picture

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

in addition

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

from appearances alone

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

rid of obstructions

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

a movement into or inward

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

an area near a fireplace (usually paved and extending out into a room)

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

out of fashion

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

plural of “perception” — the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

with low volume

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

so extremely intense as to evoke screams

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

in a stealthy manner

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

rousing or quickening activity or the senses

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

act of expanding by lengthening or widening

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

hard to endure

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

without awareness

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading Instead, therefore, of screaming, or stretching out her hand to the old-fashioned bell-rope which hung by the fireside at a little distance from her right hand, she waited, watched, and listened.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading But her mind had been rendered more clear, her perceptions more acute, by the stimulating mystery which she had been for the past two days trying to solve.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Apparently she had unconsciously made some slight noise as she turned in her chair to look behind her, for the intruder, whoever he was, instead of entering, waited and listened also.

withdrawn from society; seeking solitude

From this reading There was a pause; and then the hand which had crept so stealthily round the door was slowly and quietly withdrawn.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading In the ordinary course of things, it would have been natural for Mabin to conclude, on seeing a man’s hand inside her door in the middle of the night, that the intruder was a burglar.