used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
AbbeynounUS /ˈæbi/
a church associated with a monastery or convent
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
abstractionnounUS /æbˈstrækʃən/
a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
AdriannounUS /ˈeɪdriən/
Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
BECKONINGverbUS /ˈbekənɪŋ/
-ing form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading He rang the bell, and ordered a room to be prepared.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
incredulousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredʒələs/
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
go away from a place
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading He rang the bell, and ordered a room to be prepared.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He rang the bell, and ordered a room to be prepared.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He rang the bell, and ordered a room to be prepared.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
SHADOWYadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːləmli/
in a grave and sedate manner
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
strokesnounUS /stroʊks/
plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "A BECKONING VOICE FROM OUT A SHADOWY LAND" Midnight rang solemnly out from the Abbey clock.
look attentively
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
which person or people
From this reading Father Adrian, who had been lost in a fit of deep abstraction, looked up and shook his head as the servant quitted the room.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
in the company of; together with
From this reading The priest paused in his story to count the strokes, and Paul drew out his watch with an incredulous gesture.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You must stay here to-night," he said; "it will be too late for you to leave."
