used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
arrestverbUS /ərˈest/
take into custody
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
BannisternounUS /ˈbænəstər/
English runner who in 1954 became the first person to run a mile in less than four minutes (born in 1929)
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The man was courteous in manner, but firm of speech.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
courteousadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrtiəs/
exhibiting courtesy and politeness
From this reading The man was courteous in manner, but firm of speech.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
draftedverbUS /ˈdræftɪd/
past form of “draft” — draw up an outline or sketch for something
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading The man was courteous in manner, but firm of speech.
hall-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “He is not here,” replied Bob.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “He is not here,” replied Bob.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The man was courteous in manner, but firm of speech.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “He is not here,” replied Bob.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
provost-marshal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “He is not here,” replied Bob.
respondverbUS /rɪˈspɑːnd/
show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
Rhett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading The man was courteous in manner, but firm of speech.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
a shaky motion
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
the topmost one of two
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
at the time that
From this reading When the door was finally opened, she could see, dimly outlined in the doorway, a man dressed in the uniform of a sergeant in the army of the United States.
which person or people
From this reading “We have come,” he said to Bob, “by order of the provost-marshal, to arrest Rhett Bannister, who has been drafted and has failed to respond.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED BREAKFAST As Bob descended the stairs to open the hall-door in response to the knocking, his mother stood on the upper landing, trembling with excitement and fear.