adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
announcedadjectiveUS /əˈnaʊnst/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As the servant appeared, introducing Lady Lydiard, the dog ran in.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the servant appeared, introducing Lady Lydiard, the dog ran in.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
barkingverbUS /ˈbɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
caressesnounUS /kərˈesɪz/
plural of “caress” — a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
clawsnounUS /klɔːz/
plural of “claw” — sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
creaturenounUS /ˈkriːtʃər/
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
deafenedadjective
caused to hear poorly or not at all
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
dognounUS /dɔːɡ/
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
faithfuladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪθfəl/
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
franticadjectiveUS /ˈfræntɪk/
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
furiousadjectiveUS /ˈfjʊriəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
ill-behaved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
introducingverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading As the servant appeared, introducing Lady Lydiard, the dog ran in.
invadedverbUS /ˌɪnˈveɪdəd/
past form of “invade” — march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
Isabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
knockedverbUS /nɑːkt/
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading As the servant appeared, introducing Lady Lydiard, the dog ran in.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
Lydiard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the servant appeared, introducing Lady Lydiard, the dog ran in.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
maid-servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
objectsnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekts/
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
oil-cloth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
overthrownverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈθroʊn/
inflected form of “overthrow” — cause the downfall of; of rulers
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
PinknounUS /pɪŋk/
a light shade of red
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/
the possibility of future success
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
ranverbUS /ræn/
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
ReceivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
scurryingadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
servantnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənt/
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading As the servant appeared, introducing Lady Lydiard, the dog ran in.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
smotheredadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌðərd/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
terribleadjectiveUS /ˈterəbəl/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
Tommie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
tremblingnounUS /ˈtrembəlɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
upstairsadverbUS /əpˈsterz/
on a floor above
From this reading THE trim little maid-servant ran upstairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Miss Pink, deafened by the barking, had just time to say, “What a very ill-behaved dog!” when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil-cloth, announced that Tommie had invaded the house.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Received on her lap, the faithful creature half smothered her with his caresses.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He made one frantic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her.
