used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He stepped lightly across the room to make sure that the door was secure.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
BLUFFINGverbUS /ˈblʌfɪŋ/
-ing form of “bluff” — deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand
From this reading BLUFFING IT THROUGH.
deadlatch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading “Not a difficult face to make, I think,” he muttered.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He stepped lightly across the room to make sure that the door was secure.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
the head of a state government
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Not a difficult face to make, I think,” he muttered.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Not a difficult face to make, I think,” he muttered.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
InspectingverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading BLUFFING IT THROUGH.
without good reason
From this reading He stepped lightly across the room to make sure that the door was secure.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
engage in
From this reading “Not a difficult face to make, I think,” he muttered.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading “Not a difficult face to make, I think,” he muttered.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not a difficult face to make, I think,” he muttered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
Rayne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He stepped lightly across the room to make sure that the door was secure.
get by special effort
From this reading He stepped lightly across the room to make sure that the door was secure.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading He stepped lightly across the room to make sure that the door was secure.
not in physical motion
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He stepped lightly across the room to make sure that the door was secure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He stepped lightly across the room to make sure that the door was secure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Rayne stood looking steadily into the still face of the acting governor for a few moments, as if studying the features.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “Not a difficult face to make, I think,” he muttered.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading BLUFFING IT THROUGH.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Not a difficult face to make, I think,” he muttered.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He stepped lightly across the room to make sure that the door was secure.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Inspecting the deadlatch sharply, he decided that it would hold the door against any possible interruption.
