used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
anew
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
(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 He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
amateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He pushed the door open slowly and started as it creaked.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Despite himself his heart was beating faster than usual.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
casementnoun
a window sash that is hinged (usually on one side)
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading He pushed the door open slowly and started as it creaked.
creditableadjectiveUS /ˈkredətəbəl/
worthy of often limited commendation
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
DespiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite himself his heart was beating faster than usual.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
ewernounUS /ˈjuːər/
an open vessel with a handle and a spout for pouring
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading Despite himself his heart was beating faster than usual.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
half-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Despite himself his heart was beating faster than usual.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Despite himself his heart was beating faster than usual.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He pushed the door open slowly and started as it creaked.
and nothing more
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
landingnounUS /ˈlændɪŋ/
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He pushed the door open slowly and started as it creaked.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading He pushed the door open slowly and started as it creaked.
cut with a saw
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
silhouettedverbUS /ˌsɪləˈwetɪd/
past form of “silhouette” — project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He pushed the door open slowly and started as it creaked.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
having a supporting base
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He pushed the door open slowly and started as it creaked.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
stumbleverbUS /ˈstʌmbəl/
walk unsteadily
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Despite himself his heart was beating faster than usual.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nothing happening he pushed again, and standing just inside saw, by a small ewer silhouetted against the casement, that he was in a bedroom.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Despite himself his heart was beating faster than usual.
precisely as stated
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But for a slight stumble half-way up his progress was very creditable for an amateur.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He paused and listened and, all being silent, made his way to the landing and stopped outside a door.
