used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
make calm or still
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
doorkeepernounUS /ˈdɔːrkiːpər/
an official stationed at the entrance of a courtroom or legislative chamber
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
divisible by two
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
set up or found
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
glidingnounUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of flying a glider
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
the act of departing
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
GourdnounUS /ɡɔːrd/
bottle made from the dried shell of a bottle gourd
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Greatly surprised, he questioned him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
lodgers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
moralitynounUS /mərˈæləti/
concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
not in physical motion
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
of an obscure nature
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
nakednessnoun
the state of being without clothing or covering of any kind
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
OctavenounUS /ˈɑːktɪv/
a feast day and the seven days following it
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/
moving to a position on a surface
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
peacefulnessnounUS /ˈpiːsfəlnəs/
a state that is calm and tranquil
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
prickedverbUS /prɪkt/
past form of “prick” — make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
prowlingverbUS /ˈpraʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “prowl” — move about in or as if in a predatory manner
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Greatly surprised, he questioned him.
roundsnounUS /raʊndz/
plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
shamefuladjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪmfəl/
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
staircasesnounUS /ˈsterkeɪsɪz/
plural of “staircase” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
having a supporting base
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Greatly surprised, he questioned him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
vestibulenounUS /ˈvestɪbjuːl/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
virtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/
plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
in or at the place that
From this reading He was met gliding noiselessly along, his eyes open, his ears pricked up, continually ascending the two staircases, where lodgers had even encountered him going his rounds in the dead of night.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For some time past, Monsieur Gourd had been prowling about with an uneasy and mysterious air.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading One evening, Octave had found the doorkeeper standing motionless and without a light at the end of his passage, close to the door which opened onto the servants’ staircase.
worryingnounUS /ˈwɜːriɪŋ/
the act of harassing someone
From this reading The morality of the house was certainly worrying him; he felt a kind of breath of shameful things which troubled the cold nakedness of the courtyard, the calm peacefulness of the vestibule, the beautiful domestic virtues of the different stories.
