used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Rather surprisingly since his sister was particular about bolts and chains.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
AnthonynounUS /ˈænθəni/
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
ARRIVESverbUS /ərˈaɪvz/
third-person singular of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
a line of approach
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
boltsnounUS /boʊlts/
plural of “bolt” — a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading Rather surprisingly since his sister was particular about bolts and chains.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
chainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading Rather surprisingly since his sister was particular about bolts and chains.
rid of obstructions
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
coatless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The piano tuner was coatless and in his socks.
considerationsnounUS /kənˌsɪdərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “consideration” — the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
Dearborn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
deterredverbUS /dɪˈtɜːrd/
inflected form of “deter” — try to prevent; show opposition to
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
door-bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
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 But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
being one more than seven
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
engulfedverbUS /ɪnˈɡʌlft/
past form of “engulf” — devote (oneself) fully to
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
set up or found
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
humaneadjectiveUS /hjuːˈmeɪn/
pertaining to or concerned with the humanities
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
latch-key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
latchkeynounUS /ˈlætʃkiː/
key for raising or drawing back a latch or opening an outside door
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
march in a procession
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
a particular point in time
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
not any; not one
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Rather surprisingly since his sister was particular about bolts and chains.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading The piano tuner was coatless and in his socks.
preciseadjectiveUS /prɪˈsaɪs/
sharply exact or accurate or delimited
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
on the contrary
From this reading Rather surprisingly since his sister was particular about bolts and chains.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Rather surprisingly since his sister was particular about bolts and chains.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Rather surprisingly since his sister was particular about bolts and chains.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
socksnounUS /sɑːks/
plural of “sock” — hosiery consisting of a cloth covering for the foot; worn inside the shoe; reaches to between the ankle and the knee
From this reading The piano tuner was coatless and in his socks.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
surprisinglyadverbUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋli/
in a surprising manner
From this reading Rather surprisingly since his sister was particular about bolts and chains.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
tunernounUS /ˈtuːnər/
someone who tunes pianos
From this reading The piano tuner was coatless and in his socks.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rather surprisingly since his sister was particular about bolts and chains.
at the time that
From this reading But this mild sensation was engulfed the next moment in clear astonishment when he encountered in the drawing-room doorway, Anthony March.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Evidently it was no less recent an event than the sound of the latchkey which had roused him from sleep.
Wollastonnoun
English chemist and physicist who discovered palladium and rhodium and demonstrated that static and current electricity are the same (1766-1828)
From this reading JOHN ARRIVES Two or three hours after March and Mary came to the Dearborn Avenue house that Sunday morning, a little before eight o'clock to be precise, John Wollaston, deterred by humane considerations from ringing the door-bell, tried his latch-key first and found it sufficient.
