used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
close-shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Oh, the pain, the grief, the despair of that glance!
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading She lay still and sorrowful, while fond words of love poured from his lips, and kisses rained on her fair face.
FalconernounUS /ˈfælkənər/
a person who breeds and trains hawks and who follows the sport of falconry
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading She lay still and sorrowful, while fond words of love poured from his lips, and kisses rained on her fair face.
set up or found
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Oh, the pain, the grief, the despair of that glance!
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Oh, the pain, the grief, the despair of that glance!
groannounUS /ɡroʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
kissesnounUS /ˈkɪsəz/
plural of “kiss” — the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading She lay still and sorrowful, while fond words of love poured from his lips, and kisses rained on her fair face.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
LaurensnounUS /ˈlɔːrənz/
leader of the American Revolution and president of the Continental Congress (1724-1792)
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She lay still and sorrowful, while fond words of love poured from his lips, and kisses rained on her fair face.
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 Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
feeling or showing love and affection
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
mournfullyadverb
in a mournful manner
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
Nora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, the pain, the grief, the despair of that glance!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading Oh, the pain, the grief, the despair of that glance!
PansynounUS /ˈpænzi/
large-flowered garden plant derived chiefly from the wild pansy of Europe and having velvety petals of various colors
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading She lay still and sorrowful, while fond words of love poured from his lips, and kisses rained on her fair face.
compacted by ironing
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
rainedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rain” — precipitate as rain
From this reading She lay still and sorrowful, while fond words of love poured from his lips, and kisses rained on her fair face.
on the contrary
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
sorrowfuladjectiveUS /ˈsɑːroʊfəl/
experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss
From this reading She lay still and sorrowful, while fond words of love poured from his lips, and kisses rained on her fair face.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
not in physical motion
From this reading She lay still and sorrowful, while fond words of love poured from his lips, and kisses rained on her fair face.
successive (without a break)
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
violetnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It went straight to the man’s loving heart, and he fell on his knees with a groan, and pressed his lips to her white brow in passionate love.
in or at the place that
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She lay still and sorrowful, while fond words of love poured from his lips, and kisses rained on her fair face.
a Caucasian
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
which person or people
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
Willie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
wondrousadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndrəs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Colonel Falconer found himself alone with Pansy, and, at the closing of the door, she opened wide those wondrous eyes of violet blue, and looked mournfully up into his face.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Colonel Falconer was so shocked and startled by Willie Laurens’ words that he staggered rather than walked across the threshold of the room where Pansy was lying, with close-shut eyes, among the white pillows of the bed, carefully watched by Nora Laurens, who now, at a sign from her brother, arose and left the room.
