used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
Abinger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
Abinger's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
breakersnounUS /ˈbreɪkərz/
waves breaking on the shore
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
cajoleries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
crescendonounUS /krɪˈʃendoʊ/
(music) a gradual increase in loudness
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
the first light of day
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
denialsnounUS /dɪˈnaɪəlz/
plural of “denial” — the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
emergeverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/
come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
expostulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
frothyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːθi/
emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
Kykie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
LucenounUS /luːs/
United States publisher of magazines (1898-1967)
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
engage in
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
on one occasion
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
pandemoniumnounUS /ˌpændɪˈmoʊniəm/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
PoppynounUS /ˈpɑːpi/
annual or biennial or perennial herbs having showy flowers
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
questioningadjectiveUS /ˈkwestʃənɪŋ/
perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
smotheredadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌðərd/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
stablesnounUS /ˈsteɪbəlz/
plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
threatsnounUS /θrets/
plural of “threat” — something that is a source of danger
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
tyrannicaladjectiveUS /tərˈænɪkəl/
marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading Behind her locked door Poppy was vaguely thankful for safety from Abinger's fury and tyrannical questioning; and not all Kykie's cajoleries and threats could make her emerge.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
at the time that
From this reading A storm shook the house next day when Luce Abinger returned.
in or at the place that
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
From this reading Kykie's shrill crescendo, expostulations and denials, were smothered like little frothy waves in the breakers of her master's wrath.
wryadjectiveUS /raɪ/
humorously sarcastic or mocking
From this reading Once the words "key" and "gate" came floating up the staircase and reached Poppy where she lay on her pillows, as she had lain until dawn, staring at the walls and the ceiling with dry eyes, and her pale lips took a wry and bitter curve.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Later, pandemonium was extended to the yard and stables; then, after all these voices there was peace.
