16
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/
a man who has never been married
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
chevaliernounUS /ˌʃevəˈlɪr/
French actor and cabaret singer (1888-1972)
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
damasknounUS /ˈdæməsk/
a table linen made from linen with a damask pattern
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
discontinuingverbUS /dɪskənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “discontinue” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
discreetlyadverbUS /dɪˈskriːtli/
with discretion; prudently and with wise self-restraint
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
earsnounUS /ɪrz/
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
eelnounUS /iːl/
the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in Europe and America; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
green-flowered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
handsomeadjectiveUS /ˈhænsəm/
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
jewelnounUS /ˈdʒuːəl/
a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
mischiefnounUS /ˈmɪstʃəf/
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
modenounUS /moʊd/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
held or filled or in use
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
painnounUS /peɪn/
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
PresentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
puttingnounUS /ˈpʌtɪŋ/
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
razornounUS /ˈreɪzər/
edge tool used in shaving
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
reckoningnounUS /ˈrekənɪŋ/
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
slippedverbUS /slɪpt/
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
stropping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
Suzanne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
tapsnounUS /tæps/
(military) signal to turn the lights out
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
ValoisnounUS /vælˈwɑː/
French royal house from 1328 to 1589
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
WednesdaynounUS /ˈwenzdi/
the fourth day of the week; the third working day
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
yearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
