used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
absorbingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
(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 But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
balesnounUS /beɪlz/
plural of “bale” — a large bundle bound for storage or transport
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
Becky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
Becky's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
next to; at the side of
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
Boozer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
Chris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
Chris's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
Cilley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
glimmeringnounUS /ˈɡlɪmərɪŋ/
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
glimpsedverbUS /ɡlɪmpst/
past form of “glimpse” — catch a glimpse of or see briefly
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
a particular point in time
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
do one's shopping
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
move stealthily
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
confined on all sides
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But Chris's head was ringing with Ned Cilley's tale, and with all the things, so different and so absorbing, that surrounded him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His head was full of the story of Becky Boozer's hat or he might have glimpsed the room beside him--for the passage stopped at this point.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He might have been able, had he not been so intent on Becky's story, to slip past the dusty bales and cases and out into--what?
Wicker'snounUS /ˈwɪkərz/
possessive form of “wicker” — slender flexible branches or twigs (especially of willow or some canes); used for wickerwork
From this reading Chris stood for a moment before the closed door of Mr. Wicker's study.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Beyond the passage lay the dimly glimmering shop with its bow window at the far end, and the door to the street beside it.
