used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
a line of approach
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
bay-window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There should be a third man, Johnson.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
BlairnounUS /bler/
British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading In the other direction, in a house near the corner, another man named Blair was similarly ensconced, and he, too, had been watching as she wrote.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading In the other direction, in a house near the corner, another man named Blair was similarly ensconced, and he, too, had been watching as she wrote.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
ensconcedverbUS /ɪnˈskɑːnst/
past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly
From this reading In the other direction, in a house near the corner, another man named Blair was similarly ensconced, and he, too, had been watching as she wrote.
opinion or judgment
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
HastingsnounUS /ˈheɪstɪŋz/
United States architect who formed and important architectural firm with John Merven Carrere (1860-1929)
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In the other direction, in a house near the corner, another man named Blair was similarly ensconced, and he, too, had been watching as she wrote.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the other direction, in a house near the corner, another man named Blair was similarly ensconced, and he, too, had been watching as she wrote.
inscrutableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈskruːtəbəl/
of an obscure nature
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading There should be a third man, Johnson.
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 Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading In the other direction, in a house near the corner, another man named Blair was similarly ensconced, and he, too, had been watching as she wrote.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In the other direction, in a house near the corner, another man named Blair was similarly ensconced, and he, too, had been watching as she wrote.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
passer-bynoun
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
the act of searching for something
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading There should be a third man, Johnson.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
similarlyadverbUS /ˈsɪmələrli/
in like or similar manner
From this reading In the other direction, in a house near the corner, another man named Blair was similarly ensconced, and he, too, had been watching as she wrote.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There should be a third man, Johnson.
thereinadverbUS /ðeˈrɪn/
(formal) in or into that thing or place
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading There should be a third man, Johnson.
THORNE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miss Thorne curiously studied the face of each passer-by, seeking therein something to remember.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading In the other direction, in a house near the corner, another man named Blair was similarly ensconced, and he, too, had been watching as she wrote.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
wide-openadjective
open wide
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading MISS THORNE AND NOT MISS THORNE From a pleasant, wide-open bay-window of her apartments on the second floor, Miss Thorne looked out upon the avenue with inscrutable eyes.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Behind the closely drawn shutters of another bay-window, farther down the avenue, on the corner, she knew a man named Hastings was hiding; she knew that for an hour or more he had been watching her as she wrote.
