used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
a-sparkle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
askewadjectiveUS /əsˈkjuː/
turned or twisted toward one side
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
Bessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
the act of breaking something
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
crinklyadjective
uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "John!" she exclaimed, with a little shriek of joy.
expectancynounUS /ɪkˈspektənsi/
an expectation
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
promote over another
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
footstepnounUS /ˈfʊtstep/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
Hampstead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
jauntilyadverbUS /ˈdʒɔːntəli/
in a jaunty fashionable manner
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading "John!" she exclaimed, with a little shriek of joy.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading "John!" she exclaimed, with a little shriek of joy.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "John!" she exclaimed, with a little shriek of joy.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
on the contrary
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "John!" she exclaimed, with a little shriek of joy.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading "John!" she exclaimed, with a little shriek of joy.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
StanfordnounUS /ˈstænfərd/
United States railroad executive and founder of Stanford University (1824-1893)
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
strapnounUS /stræp/
an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The front door opened and closed, and John’s heart leaped at the sound of a light footstep in the hall.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
in the direction of
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading As if hearing voices, the owner of the footsteps turned them towards the living room.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "But if I rather favor Stanford myself?" suggested Hampstead, feeling his way carefully.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
a Caucasian
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading Book strap in hand, wearing a white shirt waist and skirt of blue, with the brown crinkly hair breaking out from under a small straw hat worn jauntily askew, Bessie paused upon the threshold, her eyes a-sparkle with expectancy.
