used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Both of them uttered an exclamation of satisfaction at seeing him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
boarding-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both of them uttered an exclamation of satisfaction at seeing him.
callernounUS /ˈkɔːlər/
a social or business visitor
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
doorbellnounUS /ˈdɔːrbel/
a push button at an outer door that gives a ringing or buzzing signal when pushed
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
being one more than ten
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading Both of them uttered an exclamation of satisfaction at seeing him.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
hallwaynounUS /ˈhɔːlweɪ/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Both of them uttered an exclamation of satisfaction at seeing him.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
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 He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
MacgregornounUS /məˈɡreɡər/
Scottish clan leader and outlaw who was the subject of a 1817 novel by Sir Walter Scott (1671-1734)
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
Maurice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
not any; not one
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
Osborne'snounUS /ˈɔːzbɔːrnz/
possessive form of “osborne” — English playwright (1929-1994)
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
periodicalnounUS /ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkəl/
a publication that appears at fixed intervals
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
approval to do something
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
proprietorsnounUS /prəˈpraɪətərz/
plural of “proprietor” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
raw-boned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
reprintnounUS /riˈprɪnt/
a publication (such as a book) that is reprinted without changes or editing and offered again for sale
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Both of them uttered an exclamation of satisfaction at seeing him.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Both of them uttered an exclamation of satisfaction at seeing him.
sequelnounUS /ˈsiːkwəl/
something that follows something else
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
serialadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriːəl/
in regular succession without gaps
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
StarkadjectiveUS /stɑːrk/
devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading He was not in the least expecting any caller at that hour, and had paid no attention when he had heard the doorbell of the boarding-house ring downstairs, and the sound of feet ascending the steps.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He hastened to open the door, however, and in the dim hallway he recognized the dark, handsome face of Maurice Stark, and behind it the tall, raw-boned form of Peter Macgregor.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Both of them uttered an exclamation of satisfaction at seeing him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
communicated in words
From this reading Both of them uttered an exclamation of satisfaction at seeing him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
at the time that
From this reading It was nearly eleven o'clock at night when some one knocked at the door of Fred Osborne's room.
Youth'snounUS /juːθs/
possessive form of “youth” — a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading This book has appeared in the _Youth's Companion_ in the form of a serial and sequel, and my thanks are due to the proprietors of that periodical for permission to reprint.
