used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Possibly he had a reason for it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHRISTMAS CHIMES The Squire turned and entered the house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
for the reason that
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
CHIMESnounUS /tʃaɪmz/
plural of “chime” — a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
From this reading CHRISTMAS CHIMES The Squire turned and entered the house.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading CHRISTMAS CHIMES The Squire turned and entered the house.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
convenientlyadverbUS /kənˈviːnjəntli/
in a convenient manner
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
drilledadjectiveUS /drɪld/
trained in a skill by repetitious practice
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading CHRISTMAS CHIMES The Squire turned and entered the house.
exceptionallyadverbUS /ɪkˈsepʃənəli/
to an exceptional degree
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Possibly he had a reason for it.
set up or found
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
usually; as a rule
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Possibly he had a reason for it.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading CHRISTMAS CHIMES The Squire turned and entered the house.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Possibly he had a reason for it.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
by chance
From this reading Possibly he had a reason for it.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Possibly he had a reason for it.
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading CHRISTMAS CHIMES The Squire turned and entered the house.
having a supporting base
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHRISTMAS CHIMES The Squire turned and entered the house.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading CHRISTMAS CHIMES The Squire turned and entered the house.
vestibulenounUS /ˈvestɪbjuːl/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He generally was fairly noisy in his movements, but on this occasion he was exceptionally so.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On reaching the vestibule he found Harold and Ida standing side by side as though they were being drilled.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was impossible to resist the conclusion that they had suddenly assumed that attitude because it happened to be the first position into which they could conveniently fall.
