a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the sound of the final strokes was dying away the expected summons came.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As the sound of the final strokes was dying away the expected summons came.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
BEETLESnounUS /ˈbiːtəlz/
plural of “beetle” — insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
boomingadjectiveUS /ˈbuːmɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
CairnnounUS /kern/
a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
Cairn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As the sound of the final strokes was dying away the expected summons came.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
clocksnounUS /klɑːks/
European weed naturalized in southwestern United States and Mexico having reddish decumbent stems with small fernlike leaves and small deep reddish-lavender flowers followed by slender fruits that stick straight up; often grown for forage
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
having the place or position changed
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading As the sound of the final strokes was dying away the expected summons came.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
being one more than ten
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading As the sound of the final strokes was dying away the expected summons came.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
jawverbUS /dʒɔː/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
London'snounUS /ˈlʌndənz/
possessive form of “london” — the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
Michael'snounUS /ˈmaɪkəlz/
possessive form of “michael” — (Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
not any; not one
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As the sound of the final strokes was dying away the expected summons came.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
on one occasion
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
onwardadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/
forward in time or order or degree
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
term of address for a man
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
SixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading As the sound of the final strokes was dying away the expected summons came.
squaredadjectiveUS /skwerd/
having been made square
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
strokesnounUS /stroʊks/
plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading As the sound of the final strokes was dying away the expected summons came.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading As the sound of the final strokes was dying away the expected summons came.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
uncannyadjectiveUS /ənˈkæni/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
precisely as stated
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had given orders to the effect that he was on no account to be disturbed and that his car should be ready at the door from ten o'clock onward.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
at the time that
From this reading THE BEETLES Sixteen hours had elapsed and London's clocks were booming eleven that night, when the uncanny drama entered upon its final stage.
wiresnounUS /ˈwaɪərz/
plural of “wire” — ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading Dr. Cairn's jaw squared and his mouth was very grim, when he recognised his son's voice over the wires.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Once more Dr. Cairn sat alone with Sir Michael's manuscript, but at frequent intervals his glance would stray to the telephone at his elbow.
