used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading I pulled the blankets around my shoulders, lifted the pillow, and said, "Poor fellow!"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading I pulled the blankets around my shoulders, lifted the pillow, and said, "Poor fellow!"
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
colloquynounUS /ˈkɑːləkwi/
a conversation especially a formal one
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
a boy or man
From this reading I pulled the blankets around my shoulders, lifted the pillow, and said, "Poor fellow!"
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
gallopingverbUS /ˈɡæləpɪŋ/
-ing form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
knocksnounUS /nɑːks/
plural of “knock” — the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
Letheby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
held up in the air
From this reading I pulled the blankets around my shoulders, lifted the pillow, and said, "Poor fellow!"
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I pulled the blankets around my shoulders, lifted the pillow, and said, "Poor fellow!"
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading I pulled the blankets around my shoulders, lifted the pillow, and said, "Poor fellow!"
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading I pulled the blankets around my shoulders, lifted the pillow, and said, "Poor fellow!"
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I pulled the blankets around my shoulders, lifted the pillow, and said, "Poor fellow!"
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading I pulled the blankets around my shoulders, lifted the pillow, and said, "Poor fellow!"
slumbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
tocsinnoun
the sound of an alarm (usually a bell)
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Then there was the usual hurried colloquy at the hall door, then the retreating noises of galloping feet.
in a violent manner
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading I heard the housekeeper wake up Father Letheby; and in a short time I heard him go down stairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What priest does not know that tocsin of the night, and the start from peaceful slumbers?
at the time that
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading A NIGHT CALL It must have been about two o'clock on Sunday morning, when the house bell was pulled violently and a rapid series of fierce, sharp knocks woke up the house.
