used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
AdriannounUS /ˈeɪdriən/
Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
agonizingadjectiveUS /ˈæɡənaɪzɪŋ/
extremely painful
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
in addition
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Have you spared your own flesh and blood?” demanded Adrian, sternly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
CoolidgenounUS /ˈkuːlɪdʒ/
elected vice president and succeeded as 30th President of the United States when Harding died in 1923 (1872-1933)
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading Have you spared your own flesh and blood?” demanded Adrian, sternly.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading Have you spared your own flesh and blood?” demanded Adrian, sternly.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Have you spared your own flesh and blood?” demanded Adrian, sternly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
Isabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
outstretchedadjectiveUS /aʊtˈstretʃt/
fully extended especially in length
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
a human being
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
established beyond doubt
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
Randal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
cut with a saw
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
refrain from harming
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading Have you spared your own flesh and blood?” demanded Adrian, sternly.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
sternlyadverbUS /ˈstɜːrnli/
with sternness; in a severe manner
From this reading Have you spared your own flesh and blood?” demanded Adrian, sternly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
unnervedadjectiveUS /ənˈnɜːrvd/
deprived of courage and strength
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
at the time that
From this reading Isabel and her mother now forgot some of their own fear when they saw Lady Randal so unnerved.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had been a matter of great mystery to them how their prisoner escaped, and it seemed that it was about to be explained; and Mrs. Coolidge, with her ready wit, began to think that the skeleton of the house was to be revealed also.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Spare you?
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “This person,” Adrian resumed, “proved to be a young man by the name of——” “Oh, spare me!—in mercy, spare me, Adrian!” cried the guilty woman, springing toward him, with outstretched hands and agonizing face.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Have you spared your own flesh and blood?” demanded Adrian, sternly.
