(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. King had never, yet, put in an appearance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Mr. King had never, yet, put in an appearance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
completely unclothed
From this reading She had noticed, too, the almost painful cleanliness of the rather bare, big house.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had noticed, too, the almost painful cleanliness of the rather bare, big house.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
cleanlinessnounUS /ˈklenlinɪs/
the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections
From this reading She had noticed, too, the almost painful cleanliness of the rather bare, big house.
clothing in general
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
the first light of day
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
the act of departing
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She had noticed, too, the almost painful cleanliness of the rather bare, big house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
landingnounUS /ˈlændɪŋ/
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
and nothing more
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
used to form the superlative
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. King had never, yet, put in an appearance.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
not any; not one
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
being perceived or observed
From this reading She had noticed, too, the almost painful cleanliness of the rather bare, big house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
many times at short intervals
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading She had noticed, too, the almost painful cleanliness of the rather bare, big house.
in the near future
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Mr. King had never, yet, put in an appearance.
on the contrary
From this reading She had noticed, too, the almost painful cleanliness of the rather bare, big house.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
cut with a saw
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
scrubbingnounUS /ˈskrʌbɪŋ/
the act of cleaning a surface by rubbing it with a brush and soap and water
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
shamblingnoun
walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
slippersnounUS /ˈslɪpərz/
plural of “slipper” — low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
sloppedadjective
very drunk
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
a person, without saying who
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
push forcefully
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
toesnounUS /toʊz/
plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading She had noticed, too, the almost painful cleanliness of the rather bare, big house.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As she was dressing she became aware of sounds of violent scrubbing going on in the next room--she had often heard such sounds almost before dawn.
washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She knew that no servants were kept; she never saw Mrs. King scrubbing; most of her time was spent in cooking and washing clothes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Presently the scrubbing stopped and shambling steps came along the landing as someone slopped along, dragging his slippers into which he had merely thrust his toes.
but in spite of that
From this reading Mr. King had never, yet, put in an appearance.
