Chapter XIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She gathered her draperies for the descent, unconscious of anyone’s presence.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Presently Penny, a sweet vision, appeared at the top of the steps.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When he was in his costume he waited at the foot of the back stairs.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

the lower side of anything

From this reading The large room at the bottom of the steps was dimly lit.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball

From this reading When he was in his costume he waited at the foot of the back stairs.

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading She gathered her draperies for the descent, unconscious of anyone’s presence.

in a dim indistinct manner

From this reading The large room at the bottom of the steps was dimly lit.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading She gathered her draperies for the descent, unconscious of anyone’s presence.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading When he was in his costume he waited at the foot of the back stairs.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She gathered her draperies for the descent, unconscious of anyone’s presence.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

brought together in one place

From this reading She gathered her draperies for the descent, unconscious of anyone’s presence.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When he was in his costume he waited at the foot of the back stairs.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She gathered her draperies for the descent, unconscious of anyone’s presence.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading When he was in his costume he waited at the foot of the back stairs.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading When he was in his costume he waited at the foot of the back stairs.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The large room at the bottom of the steps was dimly lit.

provided with artificial light

From this reading The large room at the bottom of the steps was dimly lit.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading She gathered her draperies for the descent, unconscious of anyone’s presence.

in the near future

From this reading Presently Penny, a sweet vision, appeared at the top of the steps.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The large room at the bottom of the steps was dimly lit.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading The large room at the bottom of the steps was dimly lit.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading Presently Penny, a sweet vision, appeared at the top of the steps.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Presently Penny, a sweet vision, appeared at the top of the steps.

plural of “trap” — a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading She gathered her draperies for the descent, unconscious of anyone’s presence.

a vivid mental image

From this reading Presently Penny, a sweet vision, appeared at the top of the steps.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading When he was in his costume he waited at the foot of the back stairs.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

at the time that

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading PHILIP TRAPS A THIEF Peter Wyland knew that Penny would be coming down the back way when she was ready, instead of down the stairs from the balcony.