used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
make calm or still
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
child-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
curlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrli/
(of hair) having curls or waves
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
dumpyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌmpi/
resembling a garbage dump
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
a young female
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
INDIGESTIONnounUS /ˌɪndaɪˈdʒestʃən/
a disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea
From this reading INDIGESTION WEEK.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
kitchen-maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Another little girl, however, was not asleep.
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
a human being
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
with speed
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
softestadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːftəst/
superlative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading INDIGESTION WEEK.
at the time that
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was quite early on the following Monday morning when a light tap was heard outside the door of the room where Helen and Polly slept.
a Caucasian
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
which person or people
From this reading It was a very light, modest, and uncertain tap, and it has not the smallest effect upon Helen, who lay in soft slumber, her pretty eyes closed, her gentle face calm and rounded and child-like, and the softest breathing coming from her rosy, parted lips.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading At that modest tap up sprang a curly head, two dark, bright eyes opened wide, two white feet sprang quickly but noiselessly on to the floor, and Polly had opened the bedroom door wide to admit the short, dumpy, but excited little person of Maggie, the kitchen-maid.
