used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
actsnounUS /ækts/
a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
(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 It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
causingnounUS /ˈkɑːzɪŋ/
the act of causing something to happen
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
clickverbUS /klɪk/
move or strike with a noise
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
containsverbUS /kənˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But Marian did not understand—nor know why it was she trembled so.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
drawernounUS /drɔːr/
a boxlike container in a piece of furniture; made so as to slide in and out
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
heiressnounUS /ˈerəs/
a female heir
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
go away from a place
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
MarianadjectiveUS /ˈmeriən/
of or relating to or venerating the Virgin Mary
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But Marian did not understand—nor know why it was she trembled so.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
try to get or reach
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
not often
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But Marian did not understand—nor know why it was she trembled so.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
not in physical motion
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading But Marian did not understand—nor know why it was she trembled so.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading But Marian did not understand—nor know why it was she trembled so.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
unsuspectingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪŋ/
not suspicious
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
untouchedadjectiveUS /ənˈtʌtʃt/
still full
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Oh, how still it was in that room, and the click of the key as it turned the slender bolt echoed through the silent apartment, causing Marian to start as if a living presence had been near.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading The drawer was opened, and she held the letter in her hand, while unseen voices seemed whispering to her, “Oh, Marian, Marian—leave the letter still untouched.
which person or people
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading But Marian did not understand—nor know why it was she trembled so.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It will be far more precious to you than all the wealth of which you are the unsuspecting heiress.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Do not seek to know the secret it contains, but go back to the man who is your husband, and by those gentle acts which seldom fail in their effect, win his love.
