used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
ajaradjectiveUS /əˈdʒɑːr/
slightly open
From this reading The door was ajar and he passed into the empty church.
(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 So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
for the reason that
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading The door was ajar and he passed into the empty church.
church-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The door was ajar and he passed into the empty church.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The door was ajar and he passed into the empty church.
the organ of sight
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
set up or found
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading It seemed very large and gray now that he had it to himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It seemed very large and gray now that he had it to himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The door was ajar and he passed into the empty church.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It seemed very large and gray now that he had it to himself.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
lop-sided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It seemed very large and gray now that he had it to himself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
panenounUS /peɪn/
sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The door was ajar and he passed into the empty church.
with low volume
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
rhododendrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed very large and gray now that he had it to himself.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed very large and gray now that he had it to himself.
tombstonenounUS /ˈtuːmstoʊn/
a stone that is used to mark a grave
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
precisely as stated
From this reading It seemed very large and gray now that he had it to himself.
vestrynoun
in the Protestant Episcopal Church: a committee elected by the congregation to work with the churchwardens in managing the temporal affairs of the church
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The church-door was locked, of course, but he knew where there was a broken pane in the vestry window, and his eye had marked the lop-sided tombstone underneath it.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
water-spout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By climbing upon that and getting a knee in the carved water-spout-- He did it, got his hand through, turned the catch of the window, and fell through upon the dusty table of the vestry.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
in or at the place that
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
window-tax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading So he watched his opportunity and went quietly out through the French window, skirted the side of the house where all the windows were blank because of the old window-tax, took the narrow strip of lawn at a breathless run, and found safe cover among the rhododendrons.
