used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a bell rope in the upper hall.
(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 It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
react verbally
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading There was a bell rope in the upper hall.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
corridorsnounUS /ˈkɔːrɪdərz/
plural of “corridor” — an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She might get Jenkins.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading There was a bell rope in the upper hall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading When she stood in the main hall she hesitated.
impassableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpæsəbəl/
incapable of being passed
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a bell rope in the upper hall.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
Jenkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She might get Jenkins.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
most important element
From this reading When she stood in the main hall she hesitated.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She might get Jenkins.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
a strong line
From this reading There was a bell rope in the upper hall.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
slippersnounUS /ˈslɪpərz/
plural of “slipper” — low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading When she stood in the main hall she hesitated.
strengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈstreŋθənd/
given added strength or support
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a bell rope in the upper hall.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
the topmost one of two
From this reading There was a bell rope in the upper hall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a bell rope in the upper hall.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
at the time that
From this reading When she stood in the main hall she hesitated.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The dark, empty corridors at first were an impassable barrier, but while she put on her slippers and her dressing-gown she strengthened her courage.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would probably be a long time, provided he heard at all, before Jenkins could answer her.
