AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
absoluteadjectiveUS /ˈæbsəluːt/
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
adaptationnounUS /ˌædəpˈteɪʃən/
a written work (as a novel) that has been recast in a new form
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
brutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
commandnounUS /kəˈmænd/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
communicateverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪt/
transmit information
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/
a female human offspring
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
designatedverbUS /ˈdezɪɡneɪtɪd/
past form of “designate” — assign a name or title to
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading An hour passed; the doors of their rooms remained unclosed.
draggedverbUS /dræɡd/
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
failedverbUS /feɪld/
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
findingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
GlancingverbUS /ˈɡlænsɪŋ/
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
grantedadjectiveUS /ˈɡræntəd/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
Gryce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
heavy-limbedadjective
having heavy limbs
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
indolentadjectiveUS /ˈɪndələnt/
disinclined to work or exertion
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
intriguenounUS /ˌɪnˈtriːɡ/
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
landladynounUS /ˈlændleɪdi/
a landlord who is a woman
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
lovenounUS /lʌv/
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
mumbledverbUS /ˈmʌmbəld/
past form of “mumble” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
mysterynounUS /ˈmɪstəri/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
not-to-be-restrained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
notenounUS /noʊt/
a brief written record
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
oathnounUS /oʊθ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
opportunitynounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
parleynounUS /ˈpɑːrli/
a negotiation between enemies
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading An hour passed; the doors of their rooms remained unclosed.
precinctsnounUS /ˈpriːsɪŋkts/
plural of “precinct” — a district of a city or town marked out for administrative purposes
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
promisedverbUS /ˈprɑːməst/
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
PromptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading An hour passed; the doors of their rooms remained unclosed.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
roomsnounUS /ruːmz/
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading An hour passed; the doors of their rooms remained unclosed.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
slowadjectiveUS /sloʊ/
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
slyadjectiveUS /slaɪ/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
strategynounUS /ˈstrætədʒi/
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Promptly next morning at the designated hour, came the little note promised me by Mr. Gryce.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading An hour passed; the doors of their rooms remained unclosed.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
unclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour passed; the doors of their rooms remained unclosed.
unintelligibleadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈtelədʒəbəl/
poorly articulated or enunciated, or drowned by noise
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
unsealedadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːld/
not established or confirmed
From this reading Glancing over it--it was unsealed--and finding it entirely unintelligible, I took it for granted it was all right and put it by till chance, or if that failed, strategy, should give me an opportunity to communicate with Mrs. Blake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
winksnounUS /wɪŋks/
plural of “wink” — a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was put in my hand with many sly winks by the landlady herself, who developed at this crisis quite an adaptation for, if not absolute love of intrigue and mystery.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading A half hour more dragged its slow minutes away, and no sound had come from their precincts save now and then a mumbled word of parley between the father and son, a short command to the daughter, or a not-to-be-restrained oath of annoyance from one or both of the heavy-limbed brutes as something was said or done to disturb them in their indolent repose.
