used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
BuckverbUS /bʌk/
to strive with determination
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But if he had hoped to catch her unawares, he was disappointed.
make calm or still
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading But if he had hoped to catch her unawares, he was disappointed.
catlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading But if he had hoped to catch her unawares, he was disappointed.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
a movement into or inward
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But if he had hoped to catch her unawares, he was disappointed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading But if he had hoped to catch her unawares, he was disappointed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if he had hoped to catch her unawares, he was disappointed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading REVELATIONS It was the Mexican woman, Maria.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
MarianounUS /mərˈiːə/
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading REVELATIONS It was the Mexican woman, Maria.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading REVELATIONS It was the Mexican woman, Maria.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
with low volume
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
REVELATIONSnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “revelation” — the speech act of making something evident
From this reading REVELATIONS It was the Mexican woman, Maria.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
cut with a saw
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
only a very short time before
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
straightenverbUS /ˈstreɪtən/
straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
in a swift manner
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
swiftnessnounUS /ˈswɪftnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
telltaleadjectiveUS /ˈtelteɪl/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading REVELATIONS It was the Mexican woman, Maria.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When he reached the living-room she stood there calm and casual, with quite the air of one entering for the first time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But if he had hoped to catch her unawares, he was disappointed.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As Buck recognized her he rose quietly and moved swiftly toward the door.
unawaresadverbUS /ˌʌnəˈwerz/
without forethought or plan; inadvertently
From this reading But if he had hoped to catch her unawares, he was disappointed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading REVELATIONS It was the Mexican woman, Maria.
at the time that
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had scarcely taken a step when, through the telltale mirror, he saw her straighten like a flash and move back with catlike swiftness toward the passage leading to the kitchen.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading REVELATIONS It was the Mexican woman, Maria.
