used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
react verbally
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
Aurora's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
terminate
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
carpetedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːrpətɪd/
covered with or as if with carpeting or with carpeting as specified; often used in combination
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
complainedverbUS /kəmˈpleɪnd/
past form of “complain” — express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
DARKERadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkər/
comparative of “dark” — devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black
From this reading ON THE THRESHOLD OF DARKER MISERIES.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
footfallnounUS /ˈfʊtfɔːl/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
forksnounUS /fɔːrks/
plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
set up or found
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
a young female
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
destroyed or killed
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
headachenounUS /ˈhedeɪk/
something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
knivesnounUS /naɪvz/
plural of “knife” — edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
a female domestic
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
Mellish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
MISERIESnounUS /ˈmɪzəriz/
plural of “misery” — a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading ON THE THRESHOLD OF DARKER MISERIES.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE THRESHOLD OF DARKER MISERIES.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE THRESHOLD OF DARKER MISERIES.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
smartlyadverbUS /ˈsmɑːrtli/
in a clever manner
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
successive (without a break)
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
substantialadjectiveUS /səbˈstænʃəl/
of considerable importance, size, or worth
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE THRESHOLD OF DARKER MISERIES.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
THRESHOLDnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading ON THE THRESHOLD OF DARKER MISERIES.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She told him that Mrs. Mellish had complained of a headache, and had gone to her room to lie down.
trippingadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪpɪŋ/
characterized by a buoyant rhythm
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
up-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
precisely as stated
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
in or at the place that
From this reading Aurora's maid, a smartly dressed girl, came tripping out of the servants' hall, where the rattling of knives and forks announced that a very substantial dinner was being done substantial justice to, to answer John's eager inquiries.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading John went up-stairs, and crept cautiously along the carpeted corridor, fearful of every footfall which might break the repose of his wife.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading John went straight to his own apartment to look for his wife; but he found the guns put back in their usual places, and the room empty.
