used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Directly the steward had gone the watcher resumed his vigil, every nerve on the alert.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An instant later Carmichael and Capperton entered stealthily.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Carmichael waited outside in an attitude of intense watchfulness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
Bluetherski
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
the two together, not just one
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
Capperton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An instant later Carmichael and Capperton entered stealthily.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
CarmichaelnounUS /ˈkɑːrmaɪkəl/
United States songwriter (1899-1981)
From this reading An instant later Carmichael and Capperton entered stealthily.
cat-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
collisionnounUS /kəˈlɪʒən/
(physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
detectivenounUS /dɪˈtektɪv/
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
without deviation
From this reading Directly the steward had gone the watcher resumed his vigil, every nerve on the alert.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
elaborationnounUS /ɪˌlæbərˈeɪʃən/
addition of extra material or illustration or clarifying detail
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading An instant later Carmichael and Capperton entered stealthily.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Directly the steward had gone the watcher resumed his vigil, every nerve on the alert.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Directly the steward had gone the watcher resumed his vigil, every nerve on the alert.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Carmichael waited outside in an attitude of intense watchfulness.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading An instant later Carmichael and Capperton entered stealthily.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading Carmichael waited outside in an attitude of intense watchfulness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading An instant later Carmichael and Capperton entered stealthily.
go away from a place
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
linernounUS /ˈlaɪnər/
(baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
provided with artificial light
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
nervenounUS /nɜːrv/
any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body
From this reading Directly the steward had gone the watcher resumed his vigil, every nerve on the alert.
nonchalantadjectiveUS /ˌnɑːnʃəˈlɑːnt/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Carmichael waited outside in an attitude of intense watchfulness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Carmichael waited outside in an attitude of intense watchfulness.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
Raymond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
rescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
responsibleadjectiveUS /riˈspɑːnsəbəl/
worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading Directly the steward had gone the watcher resumed his vigil, every nerve on the alert.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
stealthilyadverb
in a stealthy manner
From this reading An instant later Carmichael and Capperton entered stealthily.
stewardnounUS /ˈstuːərd/
someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else
From this reading As a steward passed down the corridor he assumed a careless expression and lit a cigarette with nonchalant elaboration.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
tip-toed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
vigilnounUS /ˈvɪdʒəl/
a period of sleeplessness
From this reading Directly the steward had gone the watcher resumed his vigil, every nerve on the alert.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Carmichael waited outside in an attitude of intense watchfulness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
watchernounUS /ˈwɑːtʃər/
a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading Directly the steward had gone the watcher resumed his vigil, every nerve on the alert.
watchfulnessnoun
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading Carmichael waited outside in an attitude of intense watchfulness.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On board the liner which had been responsible both for the collision and the rescue, Raymond Bluetherski, a sinister figure, was seen to leave his cabin and disappear down the corridor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With quick cat-like movements the detective pushed open the door and tip-toed into the cabin.
