used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
bashfulnessnounUS /ˈbæʃfəlnes/
feeling embarrassed due to modesty
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
blowsnounUS /bloʊz/
plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
Captain'snounUS /ˈkæptənz/
possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
delayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈleɪd/
not as far along as normal in development
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But she didn't see me; or if she did she made no sign.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she didn't see me; or if she did she made no sign.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
fearingverbUS /ˈfɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
feebleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːbəl/
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
fingeringnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərɪŋ/
the placement of the fingers for playing different notes (or sequences of notes) on a musical instrument
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
floodedadjectiveUS /ˈflʌdəd/
covered with water
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But she didn't see me; or if she did she made no sign.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
JennynounUS /ˈdʒeni/
United States architect who designed the first skyscraper in which a metal skeleton was used (1832-1907)
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
knockernoun
(Yiddish) a big shot who knows it and acts that way; a boastful immoderate person
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
immediately past
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But she didn't see me; or if she did she made no sign.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
not any; not one
From this reading But she didn't see me; or if she did she made no sign.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
on one occasion
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But she didn't see me; or if she did she made no sign.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
perforceadverbUS /pərˈfɔːrs/
by necessity; by force of circumstance
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
the possibility of future success
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
REVELATIONnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃən/
the speech act of making something evident
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But she didn't see me; or if she did she made no sign.
shynessnounUS /ˈʃaɪnəs/
a feeling of fear of embarrassment
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading But she didn't see me; or if she did she made no sign.
without speaking
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
slicenounUS /slaɪs/
a share of something
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
soundingadjectiveUS /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/
appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
not in physical motion
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
thunderingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
TowersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading Something of the hesitation that had delayed me at Sunset Towers when I had stood fingering the handle of her door possessed me now.
two times
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
at the time that
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So perforce I took the knocker in hand once more, and followed a feeble tap with a couple of sounding blows which echoed thunderingly down the street.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Twice I laid the knocker silently back, and paced up and down before the dark straight slice of a house, as it seemed to me, looking eagerly up at the windows, hoping Jenny might see me and let me in.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A REVELATION It was still early in the summer when I stood at last before the Captain's house in London, with the knocker raised in my hand, but half fearing to strike from bashfulness; for a new access of shyness flooded my heart at the prospect of seeing Jenny.
