used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
(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 At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
bedroomsnounUS /ˈbedruːmz/
plural of “bedroom” — a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
bulbnounUS /bʌlb/
a modified bud consisting of a thickened globular underground stem serving as a reproductive structure
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
detectivesnounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
apart from; not including
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
fire-escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
globenounUS /ɡloʊb/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
guest-rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
a room where books are kept
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
most important element
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
mountingnounUS /ˈmaʊntɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
noiselessadjective
making no sound
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
PARLORnounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
roundsnounUS /raʊndz/
plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
cut with a saw
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
somberadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmbər/
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
standardadjectiveUS /ˈstændərd/
conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
Stimson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
suitenounUS /swiːt/
a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
switchedverbUS /swɪtʃt/
past form of “switch” — change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
tenantsnounUS /ˈtenənts/
plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He left one large globe to light the main hall, a standard lamp switched on in the library for the policeman on guard there and a ceiling light at the head of the stairs.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
towelsnounUS /ˈtaʊəlz/
plural of “towel” — a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth (or paper) for drying or wiping
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” The beds in the vacant guest-rooms were already made up.
belonging to which person
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading At the end of each hall in the wing a single bulb burned all night as a guide to the fire-escape staircase.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Stimson saw to it that the detectives had towels, then went his final rounds with quiet and melancholy dignity.
but in spite of that
From this reading Except for these and the bedrooms whose tenants had not yet retired, Stimson left the house in darkness, mounting, somber and noiseless as a shadow, to his own suite on the third floor.
