used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
arraynounUS /ərˈeɪ/
an orderly arrangement
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
bathroomnounUS /ˈbæθruːm/
a room (as in a residence) containing a bathtub or shower and usually a washbasin and toilet
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Next, he firmly shook Francis by the shoulder.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
daggernounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/
A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
dresser-top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
being one more than seven
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
with resolute determination
From this reading Next, he firmly shook Francis by the shoulder.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
set up or found
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
gearnounUS /ɡɪr/
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
immediately past
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
set afire or burning
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
Morgan'snounUS /ˈmɔːrɡənz/
possessive form of “morgan” — United States anthropologist who studied the Seneca (1818-1881)
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
in motion
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next, he firmly shook Francis by the shoulder.
a brief written record
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
ParkernounUS /ˈpɑːrkər/
United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
Parker'snounUS /ˈpɑːrkərz/
possessive form of “parker” — United States saxophonist and leader of the bop style of jazz (1920-1955)
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
peepedverbUS /piːpt/
past form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
photographverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræf/
record on photographic film
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
pinningnounUS /ˈpɪnɪŋ/
a mutual promise of a couple not to date anyone else; on college campuses it was once signaled by the giving of a fraternity pin
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
re-enteredverbUS /ˌriːˈentərd/
past form of “re-enter” — enter again
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
shavingnounUS /ˈʃeɪvɪŋ/
the act of removing hair with a razor
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Next, he firmly shook Francis by the shoulder.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Next, he firmly shook Francis by the shoulder.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
with low volume
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
not in physical motion
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
valetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Turning on the water in the bathroom and preparing the shaving gear, the valet re-entered the bedroom.
at the time that
From this reading Francis had left orders for Parker to call him at eight o’clock, and when Parker softly entered he found his master still asleep.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading For a long time he gazed at the strange array, then, without hesitation, carefully opened the door to Mrs. Morgan’s room and peeped in.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Still moving softly about so that his master would have the advantage of the last possible second of sleep, Parker’s eyes lighted on the strange dagger that stood upright, its point pinning through a note and a photograph and into the hard wood of the dresser-top.
