used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
anew
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
(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 “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
aproposadverbUS /ˌæprəˈpoʊ/
at an opportune time
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
banisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
unvarying in nature
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
drawlnounUS /drɔːl/
a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
Ebner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
a quad with a square body
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
indicatedverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtəd/
past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
intrudersnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdərz/
plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
fasten with a lock
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
MercurynounUS /ˈmɜːrkjəri/
a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
nervousnessnounUS /ˈnɜːrvəsnəs/
the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
overcoatnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊt/
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
peddlersnounUS /ˈpedlərz/
plural of “peddler” — someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals)
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
pinchedadjectiveUS /pɪntʃt/
sounding as if the nose were pinched
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
done under pressure
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
scot-free
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
stickingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪkɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
suppressedadjectiveUS /səˈprest/
kept from public knowledge by various means
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
tenantsnounUS /ˈtenənts/
plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
the upper part of anything
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
vigilnounUS /ˈvɪdʒəl/
a period of sleeplessness
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
which person or people
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
