used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
bed-clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
blowsnounUS /bloʊz/
plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
clinkverbUS /klɪŋk/
make a high sound typical of glass
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
creaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading Next we heard whisperings and muttered oaths, then a voice, Don José’s, said:
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
José's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next we heard whisperings and muttered oaths, then a voice, Don José’s, said:
jumpsnounUS /dʒʌmps/
plural of “jump” — a sudden and decisive increase
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
knivesnounUS /naɪvz/
plural of “knife” — edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
murderersnounUS /ˈmɜːrdərərz/
plural of “murderer” — a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading Next we heard whisperings and muttered oaths, then a voice, Don José’s, said:
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next we heard whisperings and muttered oaths, then a voice, Don José’s, said:
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
oathsnounUS /oʊðz/
plural of “oath” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading Next we heard whisperings and muttered oaths, then a voice, Don José’s, said:
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
panellingnoun
a panel or section of panels in a wall or door
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
in the near future
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
rubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Next we heard whisperings and muttered oaths, then a voice, Don José’s, said:
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
stockingedadjective
wearing stockings
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
swordsnounUS /sɔːrdz/
plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Next we heard whisperings and muttered oaths, then a voice, Don José’s, said:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Now we placed our ears against the panelling and listened.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading The murderers were driving their weapons through the bed-clothes, thinking that we slept beneath them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
at the time that
From this reading First we heard creaks that were loud in the stillness, then soft heavy noises such as are made by a cat when it jumps from a height to the ground, and a gentle rubbing as of stockinged feet upon the floor.
whisperings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next we heard whisperings and muttered oaths, then a voice, Don José’s, said:
in the company of; together with
From this reading After this for some seconds came silence that presently was broken by the clink of steel, and the sound of heavy blows delivered upon a soft substance with swords and knives.
