used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
bulldogverbUS /ˈbʊldɔːɡ/
attack viciously and ferociously
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
chauffeurnounUS /ʃoʊˈfɜːr/
a man paid to drive a privately owned car
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
characterized by great determination
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The removal of the disguise did not improve him.
disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/
A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
From this reading The removal of the disguise did not improve him.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The removal of the disguise did not improve him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
improveverbUS /ˌɪmˈpruːv/
to make better
From this reading The removal of the disguise did not improve him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
insistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstənt/
repetitive and persistent
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
jawverbUS /dʒɔː/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
the act of departing
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The removal of the disguise did not improve him.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
Payson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
Payson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
removalnounUS /rɪˈmuːvəl/
the act of removing
From this reading The removal of the disguise did not improve him.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
in a serious manner
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
Shelby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
thin-lipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had served to hide a thin-lipped, sinister mouth, a bulldog jaw and chin, and the hard lines of a desperate and determined face.
touringverbUS /ˈtʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “tour” — make a tour of a certain place
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
VandykenounUS /ˌvænˈdaɪk/
Flemish painter of numerous portraits (1599-1641)
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
at the time that
From this reading Miss Janet Payson was seriously startled about ten o’clock the following morning, when a somewhat insistent knock sounded on the door of her apartments in the Shelby House.
which person or people
From this reading The same was true of her companion, who had entered about half an hour before, after leaving his touring car in a neighboring street, in charge of a chauffeur and another man, as if their mission was one that required at least a moderate degree of caution.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Janet Payson’s companion was the man with a Vandyke beard—but he had removed it and slipped it into his pocket since entering.
