used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
accordverbUS /əˈkɔːrd/
go together
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
speak to
From this reading Arthur looked at the address and handed it to the vicar.
agitationnounUS /ˌædʒəˈteɪʃən/
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
any thing at all
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
Asplin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
lacking funds
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
causesnounUS /ˈkɑːzəz/
plural of “cause” — events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
dartedverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪd/
past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
gaspingverbUS /ˈɡæspɪŋ/
-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading Arthur looked at the address and handed it to the vicar.
hearersnounUS /ˈhiːrərz/
plural of “hearer” — someone who listens attentively
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
householdsnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊldz/
plural of “household” — a social unit living together
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Arthur looked at the address and handed it to the vicar.
knockernoun
(Yiddish) a big shot who knows it and acts that way; a boastful immoderate person
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Arthur looked at the address and handed it to the vicar.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
a particular point in time
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
by chance
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
rat-tat-tat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
term of address for a man
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
TelegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
push forcefully
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Arthur looked at the address and handed it to the vicar.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
vicarnounUS /ˈvɪkər/
a Roman Catholic priest who acts for another higher-ranking clergyman
From this reading Arthur looked at the address and handed it to the vicar.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At this moment a loud rat-tat-tat sounded on the knocker, and with one accord the hearers darted into the hall, and stood panting and gasping, while Arthur threw open the door.
the words that are spoken
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It is for you, sir, but it cannot possibly be anything about--" Mr Asplin tore open the envelope, glanced over the words, and broke into an exclamation of amazement.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Telegram, sir!" said a sharp, young voice, and the brown envelope which causes so much agitation in quiet households was thrust forward in a small cold hand.
