used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
(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 All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "You're following me," she cried, almost forgetting to whisper in her fury.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
Billie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
BrantnounUS /brænt/
small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "You're following me," she cried, almost forgetting to whisper in her fury.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was not till Rose's hand was on the knob of the door across the hall that Caroline spoke.
divisible by two
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
FAILSverbUS /feɪlz/
third-person singular of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
fiercelyadverbUS /ˈfɪrsli/
in a physically fierce manner
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading "You're following me," she cried, almost forgetting to whisper in her fury.
forgettingverbUS /fərˈɡetɪŋ/
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading "You're following me," she cried, almost forgetting to whisper in her fury.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading "You're following me," she cried, almost forgetting to whisper in her fury.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
the act of departing
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading It was not till Rose's hand was on the knob of the door across the hall that Caroline spoke.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was not till Rose's hand was on the knob of the door across the hall that Caroline spoke.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
horn-rimmedadjective
having the frame made of horn or tortoise shell or plastic that simulates either
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
knobnounUS /nɑːb/
a circular rounded projection or protuberance
From this reading It was not till Rose's hand was on the knob of the door across the hall that Caroline spoke.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You're following me," she cried, almost forgetting to whisper in her fury.
no person; not anyone
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
being perceived or observed
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was not till Rose's hand was on the knob of the door across the hall that Caroline spoke.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
PLOTnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
queerlyadverb
in a strange manner
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
Rose'snounUS /ˈroʊzɪz/
possessive form of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading It was not till Rose's hand was on the knob of the door across the hall that Caroline spoke.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading It was not till Rose's hand was on the knob of the door across the hall that Caroline spoke.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not till Rose's hand was on the knob of the door across the hall that Caroline spoke.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
up to a particular time
From this reading It was not till Rose's hand was on the knob of the door across the hall that Caroline spoke.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You're following me," she cried, almost forgetting to whisper in her fury.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had seen Rose glance into the room, had noticed how queerly she had looked at Billie, and now, as Rose started across the corridor, Caroline was at her heels, quick as a cat.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading A PLOT FAILS Caroline Brant had been watching from behind a pair of horn-rimmed spectacles, although nobody, not even Rose, could have told it.
in or at the place that
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading All she said was, "Where are you going?" in a quiet little whisper, but Rose whirled upon her fiercely.
You're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You're following me," she cried, almost forgetting to whisper in her fury.
