used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And a tender whisper came back--"Wait a minute."
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And a tender whisper came back--"Wait a minute."
weapons considered collectively
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading And a tender whisper came back--"Wait a minute."
battennounUS /ˈbætən/
stuffing made of rolls or sheets of cotton wool or synthetic fiber
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Mr. Pettigrew became one tremolo of ecstasy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And a tender whisper came back--"Wait a minute."
clickedverbUS /klɪkt/
past form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
ecstasynounUS /ˈekstəsi/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading Mr. Pettigrew became one tremolo of ecstasy.
divisible by two
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
imaginingverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənɪŋ/
-ing form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
inchnounUS /ɪntʃ/
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
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 He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading And a tender whisper came back--"Wait a minute."
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Pettigrew became one tremolo of ecstasy.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mr. Pettigrew became one tremolo of ecstasy.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
Pettigrew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Pettigrew became one tremolo of ecstasy.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
not in physical motion
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
in a swift manner
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading And a tender whisper came back--"Wait a minute."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
tremolonoun
(music) a tremulous effect produced by rapid repetition of a single tone or rapid alternation of two tones
From this reading Mr. Pettigrew became one tremolo of ecstasy.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
unnoticedadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊtɪst/
not noticed
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
having passed out of existence
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading And a tender whisper came back--"Wait a minute."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
at the time that
From this reading He was watching, on his left, the batten shutters of the sitting-room, when a small, unnoticed door near the dark, rear corner of the house clicked and then faintly creaked.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading And a tender whisper came back--"Wait a minute."
whisperously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He glided to the spot, not imagining even then that he was to be granted more than a moment's interview through an inch or two of opening, when what was his joy to see the door swiftly spread wide inward by a dim figure that extended her arms in gracious invitation.
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 "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
the words that are spoken
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
You'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You'll come down?" he whisperously asked; but the window closed on his words, the dim light vanished, and all was still.
