used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading In their turn, the women came to an abrupt standstill, regarding the men with round eyes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
on or to one side
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
beholdingnounUS /bɪˈhoʊldɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
dumfoundedadjective
as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
encounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
an opposing military force
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
divisible by two
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In their turn, the women came to an abrupt standstill, regarding the men with round eyes.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
Ferguson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
McMahon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
the force of workers available
From this reading In their turn, the women came to an abrupt standstill, regarding the men with round eyes.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
a form of address for a man
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
newcomersnounUS /ˈnuːkʌmərz/
plural of “newcomer” — any new participant in some activity
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
not any; not one
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
outragedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒd/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading In their turn, the women came to an abrupt standstill, regarding the men with round eyes.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading In their turn, the women came to an abrupt standstill, regarding the men with round eyes.
SchmidtnounUS /ʃmɪt/
German statesman who served as chancellor of Germany (born in 1918)
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
slownessnounUS /ˈsloʊnəs/
unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
standstillnounUS /ˈstændstɪl/
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
From this reading In their turn, the women came to an abrupt standstill, regarding the men with round eyes.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading For a few seconds, the six remained thus facing one another, too dumfounded by the encounter for speech.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading In their turn, the women came to an abrupt standstill, regarding the men with round eyes.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
usherverbUS /ˈʌʃər/
take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading A servant appeared in the doorway, and then stood aside to usher in three newcomers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
which person or people
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading These were no others than Mr. McMahon, Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Ferguson, who halted in astonishment on the threshold, at beholding their wives thus unexpectedly bearing down on them in the house of the enemy.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Even as the three outraged women moved forward slowly toward the door with that slowness which their dignity demanded of them under the circumstances, there came an interruption.
