used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It must be one of the girls.
for the reason that
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
cementnounUS /səˈment/
concrete pavement is sometimes referred to as cement
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly it could not be Mrs. Cupp, for she was heavy-footed.
cisternnounUS /ˈsɪstərn/
a sac or cavity containing fluid especially lymph or cerebrospinal fluid
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Certainly it could not be Mrs. Cupp, for she was heavy-footed.
Cupp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly it could not be Mrs. Cupp, for she was heavy-footed.
drawbridgenounUS /ˈdrɔːbrɪdʒ/
a bridge that can be raised to block passage or to allow boats or ships to pass beneath it
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
footstepnounUS /ˈfʊtstep/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Certainly it could not be Mrs. Cupp, for she was heavy-footed.
made afraid
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading It must be one of the girls.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
heavy-footedadjective
(of movement) lacking ease or lightness
From this reading Certainly it could not be Mrs. Cupp, for she was heavy-footed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It must be one of the girls.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
MISFORTUNEnounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Certainly it could not be Mrs. Cupp, for she was heavy-footed.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It must be one of the girls.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Certainly it could not be Mrs. Cupp, for she was heavy-footed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
a human being
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
trunk-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED MISFORTUNE As Nan lay on the secret drawbridge, she heard a stealthy footstep on the cement floor of the trunk-room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The step was light, and, plainly, there was but one person approaching.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Nan wished she had not been so foolish as to run, for she was really frightened because of her position over the old cistern.
