used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TOUCHING EXAMPLE OF UNSELFISH DEVOTION.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
alleynounUS /ˈæli/
a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
any thing at all
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
desnounUS /des/
a potent estrogen used in medicine and in feed for livestock and poultry
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
feelings of ardent love
From this reading A TOUCHING EXAMPLE OF UNSELFISH DEVOTION.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading A TOUCHING EXAMPLE OF UNSELFISH DEVOTION.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
Germain-l'Auxerrois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
a young female
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
depressingly dark
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
godmothernounUS /ˈɡɑːdmʌðər/
any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
Justin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
Mariette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A TOUCHING EXAMPLE OF UNSELFISH DEVOTION.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
and nothing more
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
porter'snounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
possessive form of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
Prêtres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
RuenounUS /ruː/
European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
in the near future
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
thoroughfarenounUS /ˈθɜːroʊfer/
a public road from one place to another
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
arousing affect
From this reading A TOUCHING EXAMPLE OF UNSELFISH DEVOTION.
traversingverbUS /trəˈvɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
UNSELFISHadjective
disregarding your own advantages and welfare over those of others
From this reading A TOUCHING EXAMPLE OF UNSELFISH DEVOTION.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Mariette soon reached the gloomy and sombre thoroughfare known as the Rue des Prêtres St. Germain-l'Auxerrois, and entered one of the houses opposite the grim walls of the church.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading After traversing a dark alley, the girl began to climb a rickety stairway as dark as the alley itself, for the only light came through a courtyard so narrow that it reminded one of a well.
which person or people
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The porter's room was on the first landing only a few steps from the stairway, and Mariette, pausing there, said to the woman who occupied it:
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Madame Justin, did you have the goodness to go up and see if my godmother wanted anything?"
