used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
apologeticallyadverbUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪkliː/
in an apologetic manner
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
Baxter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
the lower side of anything
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
claw-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
and nothing more
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
keen-eyedadjective
having keen eyesight
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
middle-age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
a particular point in time
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
a form of address for a man
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
not any; not one
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
overcoatnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊt/
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
peepedverbUS /piːpt/
past form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
petticoatnounUS /ˈpetikoʊt/
undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
done under pressure
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
sardonicadjectiveUS /sɑːrˈdɑːnɪk/
disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
Serepta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
shawlnounUS /ʃɔːl/
cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
Sikes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
smirked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
swarthyadjectiveUS /ˈswɔːrði/
naturally having skin of a dark color
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
tipsnounUS /tɪps/
plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A thick red shawl covered her hair, drawn close under the chin by a brown, claw-like hand.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
vetoedverbUS /ˈviːtoʊd/
past form of “veto” — vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent
From this reading HIS FORTUNE—GOOD AND BAD Mr. Sikes, taking no chance on having Baxter’s order vetoed by Serepta, rushed from the room.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
which person or people
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading One of them, evidently the leader, was a woman of middle-age—swarthy, keen-eyed, sardonic of expression.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A moment later he returned, followed by two shivering women who stopped just inside the door and apologetically smirked upon the waiting group.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading She wore a man’s overcoat; the tips of a pair of heavy boots peeped out from beneath the bottom of her dirty yellow petticoat.
