used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
BayardnounUS /ˈbeɪərd/
French soldier said to be fearless and chivalrous (1473-1524)
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Now, Frank," she began, "I don't want you to read to-night."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now, Frank," she began, "I don't want you to read to-night."
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading How to Spend the "Fourth."
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Why not?" he inquired.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How to Spend the "Fourth."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Now, Frank," she began, "I don't want you to read to-night."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Why not?" he inquired.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
Julia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Why not?" he inquired.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now, Frank," she began, "I don't want you to read to-night."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
rapnounUS /ræp/
a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading "Now, Frank," she began, "I don't want you to read to-night."
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
settlingnounUS /ˈsetəlɪŋ/
a gradual sinking to a lower level
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Now, Frank," she began, "I don't want you to read to-night."
in the near future
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading How to Spend the "Fourth."
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
Taylor'snounUS /ˈteɪlərz/
possessive form of “taylor” — United States composer and music critic (1885-1966)
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How to Spend the "Fourth."
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How to Spend the "Fourth."
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now, Frank," she began, "I don't want you to read to-night."
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "Now, Frank," she began, "I don't want you to read to-night."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While thus engaged, a light step was heard in the hall, and, afterward, a gentle rap at his door, and Julia came into the room.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why not?" he inquired.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading That evening, after supper, Frank retired to his room, and, settling himself in his comfortable armchair, was soon deeply interested in one of Bayard Taylor's works.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Now, Frank," she began, "I don't want you to read to-night."
