adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
apartmentnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənt/
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In that case, a twist of his foot between the door and the jamb would block the game.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading In that case, a twist of his foot between the door and the jamb would block the game.
brownnounUS /braʊn/
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading In that case, a twist of his foot between the door and the jamb would block the game.
climbedverbUS /klaɪmd/
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
clothesnounUS /kloʊðz/
clothing in general
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
decideverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪd/
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
derbynounUS /ˈdɜːrbi/
a felt hat that is round and hard with a narrow brim
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
detective'snounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
possessive form of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
discernibleadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɜːrnəbəl/
perceptible by the senses or intellect
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
faintadjectiveUS /feɪnt/
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
flightsnounUS /flaɪts/
plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading In that case, a twist of his foot between the door and the jamb would block the game.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
frameverbUS /freɪm/
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
gamenounUS /ɡeɪm/
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading In that case, a twist of his foot between the door and the jamb would block the game.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
hatnounUS /hæt/
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In that case, a twist of his foot between the door and the jamb would block the game.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
interviewedverbUS /ˈɪntərvjuːd/
past form of “interview” — conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
jambnounUS /dʒæm/
upright consisting of a vertical side member of a door or window frame
From this reading In that case, a twist of his foot between the door and the jamb would block the game.
janitress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
lightedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəd/
set afire or burning
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
methodnounUS /ˈmeθəd/
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
minutenounUS /ˈmɪnət/
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
Munger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
panelsnounUS /ˈpænəlz/
plural of “panel” — sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat and rectangular) section or component of something
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
PaulnounUS /pɔːl/
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
PryverbUS /praɪ/
to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
skylightnounUS /ˈskaɪlaɪt/
a window in a roof to admit daylight
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
Stephen'snounUS /ˈstiːvənz/
possessive form of “stephen” — English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
thick-set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
touchingadjectiveUS /ˈtʌtʃɪŋ/
arousing affect
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
twistverbUS /twɪst/
to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
From this reading In that case, a twist of his foot between the door and the jamb would block the game.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
unlockedadjectiveUS /ənˈlɑːkt/
not firmly fastened or secured
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Martha, on her return from Stephen's, had climbed the dimly lighted stairs leading to her apartment, she ran against a thick-set man, in brown clothes and derby hat, seated on the top step.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading She might decide to leave him outside its panels while she got in her fine work of hiding the thing he had climbed up three flights of stairs to find.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading He had interviewed the faded old wreck who served as janitress and, learning that Mrs. Munger would be back any minute, had taken this method of being within touching distance when the good woman unlocked her door.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Are you the man who has been waiting for me?” she exclaimed, as the detective's big frame became discernible under the faint rays from the “Paul Pry” skylight.
