used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading FOUND AT LAST.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
clickverbUS /klɪk/
move or strike with a noise
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
Conway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
without deviation
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
fifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
set up or found
From this reading FOUND AT LAST.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
immediately past
From this reading FOUND AT LAST.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
set afire or burning
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
fasten with a lock
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
lockingnounUS /ˈlɑːkɪŋ/
the act of locking something up to protect it
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
mantelpiecenoun
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
a particular point in time
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
oiledadjectiveUS /ɔɪld/
treated with oil
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
ornamentationnounUS /ˌɔːrnəmenˈteɪʃən/
the state of being ornamented
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
Penfolds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
rewardedverbUS /rɪˈwɔːrdɪd/
past form of “reward” — bestow honor or rewards upon
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
Identical; not different.
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
solidlyadverbUS /ˈsɑːlədli/
as an undiversified whole
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
not in physical motion
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
undressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading As she kept the lock well oiled she entered noiselessly, and then locking the door behind her lighted a candle and commenced her search.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading On the fifth night she was rewarded by finding that the center of what looked like a solidly carved flower in the ornamentation of the mantelpiece gave way under the pressure of her finger, and at the same moment she heard a slight click.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Directly the house was still and a sufficient time had elapsed for the Miss Penfolds to have fallen asleep, she rose from the bed on which she had lain down without undressing, put on the coat and hat, and made her way noiselessly down to the library.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading As soon as Mrs. Conway received the box she set to work in earnest.
