adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
accordingadjectiveUS /əˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
ApprehensionsnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃənz/
plural of “apprehension” — fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading Apprehensions of a storm caused hurried movements throughout the house.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
BlindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
caughtverbUS /kɑːt/
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
causedverbUS /kɑːzd/
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Apprehensions of a storm caused hurried movements throughout the house.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
flashesnounUS /ˈflæʃɪz/
plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
footstepsnounUS /ˈfʊtsteps/
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
Fran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
gatheringnounUS /ˈɡæðərɪŋ/
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
glimpsenounUS /ɡlɪmps/
a quick look
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
GracenounUS /ɡreɪs/
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
GREGORYnounUS /ˈɡreɡəri/
(Roman Catholic Church) a church father known for his constant fight against perceived heresies; a saint and Doctor of the Church (329-391)
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Apprehensions of a storm caused hurried movements throughout the house.
hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Apprehensions of a storm caused hurried movements throughout the house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
increasedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːst/
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
lightningnounUS /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
movementsnounUS /ˈmuːvmənts/
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Apprehensions of a storm caused hurried movements throughout the house.
MRSnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading MRS.
Noir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Apprehensions of a storm caused hurried movements throughout the house.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
perceivedadjectiveUS /pərˈsiːvd/
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
raindropsnounUS /ˈreɪndrɑːps/
plural of “raindrop” — a drop of rain
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
reception-hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
securingverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
silk-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Apprehensions of a storm caused hurried movements throughout the house.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
suggestedverbUS /səˈdʒestɪd/
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Apprehensions of a storm caused hurried movements throughout the house.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
unfinishedadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪnɪʃt/
not brought to the desired final state
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/
not known
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
violencenounUS /ˈvaɪələns/
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Blinding flashes of lightning suggested a gathering of the family in the reception-hall, where, according to tradition, there was "less danger"; and as the unknown lady opened the door of the front room, Fran heard footsteps upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Grace Noir descending.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading GREGORY The wind had suddenly increased in violence, and a few raindrops had already fallen.
window-sill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lady closed the door behind her before she perceived Fran, so intent was she upon securing from threatening rain some unfinished silk-work lying on the window-sill.
