used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A light gleamed feebly through a small window.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading They pressed their faces against the dripping pane.
move towards
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading They pressed their faces against the dripping pane.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
extendingverbUS /ɪkˈstendɪŋ/
-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading They pressed their faces against the dripping pane.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
feeblyadverbUS /ˈfiːbli/
in a faint and feeble manner
From this reading A light gleamed feebly through a small window.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
flickeredverbUS /ˈflɪkərd/
past form of “flicker” — move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading A kerosene lamp flickered on the table beside him.
flowingnounUS /ˈfloʊɪŋ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading A light gleamed feebly through a small window.
glowedverbUS /ɡloʊd/
past form of “glow” — emit a steady even light without flames
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A kerosene lamp flickered on the table beside him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
kerosenenounUS /ˈkerəsiːn/
a flammable hydrocarbon oil used as fuel in lamps and heaters
From this reading A kerosene lamp flickered on the table beside him.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading A kerosene lamp flickered on the table beside him.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A light gleamed feebly through a small window.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
noddingadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A kerosene lamp flickered on the table beside him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
panenounUS /peɪn/
sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading They pressed their faces against the dripping pane.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
compacted by ironing
From this reading They pressed their faces against the dripping pane.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
robustadjectiveUS /roʊˈbʌst/
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A light gleamed feebly through a small window.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A kerosene lamp flickered on the table beside him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They pressed their faces against the dripping pane.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They pressed their faces against the dripping pane.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A light gleamed feebly through a small window.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Closer approach revealed that it was set in a wall which formed the front of a dwelling partly extending back into the cliff.
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 A light gleamed feebly through a small window.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Beside a fireplace in which a few dying embers glowed faintly, a robust man with a flowing beard was nodding over a book.
