used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
anew
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The girls giggled and followed Mrs. Gilligan as she strode up the stairs.
Billie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
chaperonenounUS /ˈʃæpəroʊn/
one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
comfortingadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪŋ/
providing freedom from worry
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
D-do
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "D-do you suppose it was only a s-suitcase?" stammered Violet.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The girls giggled and followed Mrs. Gilligan as she strode up the stairs.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
giggledverbUS /ˈɡɪɡəld/
past form of “giggle” — laugh nervously
From this reading The girls giggled and followed Mrs. Gilligan as she strode up the stairs.
Gilligan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls giggled and followed Mrs. Gilligan as she strode up the stairs.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
hissedverbUS /hɪst/
past form of “hiss” — make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
hystericallyadverbUS /ˌhɪˈsterɪkli/
in a hysterical manner
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "D-do you suppose it was only a s-suitcase?" stammered Violet.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
MarianounUS /mərˈiːə/
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
and nothing more
From this reading "D-do you suppose it was only a s-suitcase?" stammered Violet.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
s-suitcase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "D-do you suppose it was only a s-suitcase?" stammered Violet.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The girls giggled and followed Mrs. Gilligan as she strode up the stairs.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The girls giggled and followed Mrs. Gilligan as she strode up the stairs.
stammered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "D-do you suppose it was only a s-suitcase?" stammered Violet.
not in physical motion
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
strodeverbUS /stroʊd/
inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading The girls giggled and followed Mrs. Gilligan as she strode up the stairs.
suitcasenounUS /ˈsuːtkeɪs/
a portable rectangular container for carrying clothes
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
express a supposition
From this reading "D-do you suppose it was only a s-suitcase?" stammered Violet.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The girls giggled and followed Mrs. Gilligan as she strode up the stairs.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
tickleverbUS /ˈtɪkəl/
touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
tombnounUS /tuːm/
a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The girls giggled and followed Mrs. Gilligan as she strode up the stairs.
valiantadjUS /ˈvæl.jənt/
Possessing or showing courage or determination; heroic. (Dũng cảm, quả cảm, anh hùng.)
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
VioletnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading "D-do you suppose it was only a s-suitcase?" stammered Violet.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
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 The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The flickering candles made grotesque shadows on the walls; the house, after that noise, was as still as a tomb, and despite the comforting presence of their valiant chaperone, the girls kept close together for protection.
(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 SHADOWS AND MYSTERY "Well, if it's a ghost," announced Mrs. Maria Gilligan in a loud voice, "I never did hear one that sounded so much like a suitcase sliding off a trunk."
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading "Don't whisper in my ear--you tickle," hissed Billie, and again they laughed hysterically.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "D-do you suppose it was only a s-suitcase?" stammered Violet.
