used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading Huck's scared voice answered in a low tone:
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
in a state of sleep
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A call came from a window:
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
the first light of day
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
episodenounUS /ˈepəsoʊd/
a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A call came from a window:
in a gradual manner
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
hair-trigger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
HucknounUS /hʌk/
toweling consisting of coarse absorbent cotton or linen fabric
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
Huck's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Huck's scared voice answered in a low tone:
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Huck's scared voice answered in a low tone:
inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Huck's scared voice answered in a low tone:
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
rappedverbUS /ræpt/
inflected form of “rap” — strike sharply
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
scaredadjectiveUS /skerd/
made afraid
From this reading Huck's scared voice answered in a low tone:
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Who's there!"
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Huck's scared voice answered in a low tone:
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Huck's scared voice answered in a low tone:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
Welshman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AS the earliest suspicion of dawn appeared on Sunday morning, Huck came groping up the hill and rapped gently at the old Welshman's door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The inmates were asleep, but it was a sleep that was set on a hair-trigger, on account of the exciting episode of the night.
Who's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who's there!"
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading A call came from a window:
