Chapter II · Chapter 2

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

plural of “accent” — distinctive manner of oral expression

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

(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 With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading A key was being fitted into the padlock of the Waring boathouse.

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

a shed at the edge of a river or lake; used to store boats

From this reading A key was being fitted into the padlock of the Waring boathouse.

an ardent follower and admirer

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise

From this reading The planking creaked as the strangers tip-toed inside.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

being the right size and shape to fit as desired

From this reading A key was being fitted into the padlock of the Waring boathouse.

plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

set up or found

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading The planking creaked as the strangers tip-toed inside.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A key was being fitted into the padlock of the Waring boathouse.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

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 A key was being fitted into the padlock of the Waring boathouse.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

the sound of laughing

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

a particular point in time

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

without restrictions or stipulations or further payments

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

a detachable lock; has a hinged shackle that can be passed through the staple of a hasp or the links in a chain and then snapped shut

From this reading A key was being fitted into the padlock of the Waring boathouse.

affected with paralysis

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

planks collectively; a quantity of planks

From this reading The planking creaked as the strangers tip-toed inside.

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

freed from illness or injury

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

cool and formal in manner

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

having the point made sharp

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading The planking creaked as the strangers tip-toed inside.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The planking creaked as the strangers tip-toed inside.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

clearly evident to the mind

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

precisely as stated

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

-ing form of “ware” — spend extravagantly

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A key was being fitted into the padlock of the Waring boathouse.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The totally unexpected situation in which he found himself paralyzed his speech and by the time he had recovered from the first shock of it a further development held him silent.

which person or people

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.

in the company of; together with

From this reading BLIND MAN'S BUFF With difficulty Phil Kendrick restrained a desire to laugh outright.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading With senses sharpened he listened in the dark to approaching footsteps and a murmur of voices, his wonder growing as he recognized the unmistakable accents of Stinson, his uncle's personal servant--Stinson who, by all the rules of valet service, should be up at Sparrow Lake at that very moment with the Honorable Milton Waring.