Chapter XVIII · Two Inanimate Witnesses

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

a man who has never been married

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

the act of burning something

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

the act of closing something

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading On this night there was no opium-drugged victim lying on the couch.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

the native habitat or home of an animal or plant

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

a midday meal

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading On this night there was no opium-drugged victim lying on the couch.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

(Greek mythology) a wise old counselor to the Greeks at Troy

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading On this night there was no opium-drugged victim lying on the couch.

not any; not one

From this reading On this night there was no opium-drugged victim lying on the couch.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On this night there was no opium-drugged victim lying on the couch.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

make short successive sounds

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

cut with a saw

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

something reduced to its minimal form

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

shod with slippers

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

with low volume

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

in the near future

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

not in physical motion

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

in or at that place or location

From this reading On this night there was no opium-drugged victim lying on the couch.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading On this night there was no opium-drugged victim lying on the couch.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading There was a movement in the room beyond, and Ned could hear the soft tread of slippered feet and occasionally the rattle of dishes.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading On this night there was no opium-drugged victim lying on the couch.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It was very still in the bachelor apartment, and, as on the occasion of his previous visit, Nestor saw, as he slipped through the doorway leading from the private hall, that the lights were burning low.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It was evident that midnight luncheon was being prepared, and that the master of the habitation would soon be on hand.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Closing the door softly--the same having been opened with a skeleton key--Ned stepped across the room to the writing desk which he had examined on that other night.