used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
anew
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
basementnounUS /ˈbeɪsmənt/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
Boarding-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
Cannon'snounUS /ˈkænənz/
possessive form of “cannon” — a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
chambermaidnoun
a maid who is employed to clean and care for bedrooms (now primarily in hotels)
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
rid of obstructions
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
globenounUS /ɡloʊb/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
the act of departing
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
haughtyadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːti/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
Hilda's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
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 She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
Louisa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
a particular point in time
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
mountingnounUS /ˈmaʊntɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
mutteringnounUS /ˈmʌtərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
negligentlyadverbUS /ˈneɡlɪdʒəntli/
in a negligent manner
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
not any; not one
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
pairsnounUS /perz/
plural of “pair” — a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
pityingverbUS /ˈpɪtiɪŋ/
-ing form of “pity” — share the suffering of
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
preciseadjectiveUS /prɪˈsaɪs/
sharply exact or accurate or delimited
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
Preston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/
located far away spatially
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
resignedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪnd/
past form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
responsiveadjectiveUS /rɪˈspɑːnsɪv/
containing or using responses; alternating
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
scornfuladjectiveUS /ˈskɔːrnfəl/
expressing extreme contempt
From this reading She could not catch the precise question; but the reply of Louisa, the chambermaid-- haughty, scornful, and negligently pitying--was quite clear:
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
shufflingnounUS /ˈʃʌflɪŋ/
walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
throatsnounUS /θroʊts/
plural of “throat” — the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
tinklingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋkəlɪŋ/
like the short high ringing sound of a small bell
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
unlatchedadjective
not firmly fastened or secured
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
vibrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a long pause the bell rang again; and then the gas globe over Hilda's head vibrated for a moment to footsteps in the hall, and the front door was unlatched.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GOING CONCERN I On a Saturday afternoon of the following August, Hilda was sitting at a book in the basement parlour of "Cannon's Boarding-house" in Preston Street.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading She heard, through the open window, several pairs of feet mounting wearily to the front door, and then the long remote tinkling of the bell.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
but in spite of that
From this reading Within the house there was no responsive sound; but from the porch came a clearing of throats, a muttering, impatient and yet resigned, and a vague shuffling.
