used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
completely unclothed
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Juliet saw Julia's expression as she sprang round to face the newcomer.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Juliet saw Julia's expression as she sprang round to face the newcomer.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
a young female
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
horrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrəfaɪd/
stricken with horror
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
incensedadjectiveUS /ˈɪnsenst/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
inertadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnɜːrt/
unable to move or resist motion
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
Julia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Juliet saw Julia's expression as she sprang round to face the newcomer.
Juliet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
set down according to a plan
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
a room where books are kept
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
fasten with a lock
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
newcomernounUS /ˈnuːkʌmər/
any new participant in some activity
From this reading Juliet saw Julia's expression as she sprang round to face the newcomer.
not any; not one
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/
the act of applying force in order to move something away
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
precisely, exactly
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Juliet saw Julia's expression as she sprang round to face the newcomer.
Russian'snounUS /ˈrʌʃənz/
possessive form of “russian” — a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
cut with a saw
From this reading Juliet saw Julia's expression as she sprang round to face the newcomer.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Juliet saw Julia's expression as she sprang round to face the newcomer.
spyverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
moving very fast
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Juliet saw Julia's expression as she sprang round to face the newcomer.
transformingverbUS /trænˈsfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “transform” — subject to a mathematical transformation
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading As she listened, there was the sound of a key turning in the lock, the library door was thrown suddenly open, and Mark stepped into the room.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
at the time that
From this reading When Juliet, incensed and indignant at the Russian's behaviour, discovered the door in the clock and was on the point of opening it and making her presence known, a noise of steps in the passage made her pause.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She knew instinctively that she was seeing a secret laid bare which she had no right to spy upon.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She saw it change, swift as lightning, from a look of horrified dismay to one of sudden transforming tenderness, as the girl recognized the intruder, that the hand already in the act of pushing open the door of the clock fell inert and limp to her side, and if she had been able to move she would have lost no time in retreating.
