used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
apparitionnounUS /ˌæpərˈɪʃən/
a ghostly appearing figure
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
ArmstrongnounUS /ˈɑːrmstrɑːŋ/
United States astronaut; the first man to set foot on the Moon (July 20, 1969) (1930-)
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
broachedadjectiveUS /broʊtʃt/
of a cask or barrel
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
caressnounUS /kərˈes/
a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
door-step
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
emphaticallyadverbUS /emˈfætɪkli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
evictionnounUS /ɪˈvɪkʃən/
action by a landlord that compels a tenant to leave the premises (as by rendering the premises unfit for occupancy); no physical expulsion or legal process is involved
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
the organ of sight
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
eye-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
hall-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
Hodder's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
innocentlyadverbUS /ˈɪnəsəntli/
in a not unlawful manner
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
limplyadverb
without rigidity
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
take the midday meal
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
mastiffnounUS /ˈmæstəf/
an old breed of powerful deep-chested smooth-coated dog used chiefly as a watchdog and guard dog
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
matnounUS /mæt/
a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
a particular point in time
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
and nothing more
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
patverbUS /pæt/
pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
recurring again and again
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At lunch, Roger innocently broached the question of Hodder's eviction.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
only a very short time before
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
the state of being asleep
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
to a small degree or extent
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that moment the distant hall-door opened, and a light figure stepped out for a moment on to the door-step to pat the great mastiff that lay sleeping on the mat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But, somehow, in those few seconds the amused smile on his lips faded away, and the eye-glass dropped somewhat limply from his eye, as he repeated to himself more emphatically than before-- "Ridiculous!"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
vanishingnounUS /ˈvænɪʃɪŋ/
a sudden or mysterious disappearance
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
at the time that
From this reading The apparition, the caress, and the vanishing occupied scarcely half a minute, and when it was past Mr Armstrong was only ten paces nearer the house than he had been when it appeared.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Ridiculous!" said Mr Armstrong to himself with a smile, as he strolled up the carriage drive.
