used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
put on clothes
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
apart from; not including
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
the act of departing
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
Liggett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
set afire or burning
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
a particular point in time
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
not any; not one
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
Norma's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
on the contrary
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
rumpledadjectiveUS /ˈrʌmpəld/
in disarray; extremely disorderly
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
sconcesnounUS /ˈskɑːnsɪz/
plural of “sconce” — a shelter or screen providing protection from enemy fire or from the weather
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
SlaternounUS /ˈsleɪtər/
any of various small terrestrial isopods having a flat elliptical segmented body; found in damp habitats
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
with low volume
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
not in physical motion
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Christopher had come softly into his house, at about half-past ten, to find Alice awake, still on the big couch before her fire.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But Alice had no light except her fire and two or three candles in old sconces.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
welcomedverbUS /ˈwelkəmd/
past form of “welcome” — accept gladly
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
a Caucasian
From this reading Her little bedroom beyond was softly lighted, the white bed turned down, and the religious books she always read before going to sleep laid in place by Miss Slater.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading At almost this same moment Norma's self was the subject of a rather unusual talk between Christopher Liggett and his wife.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She welcomed Christopher with a smile, and he sat down, in his somewhat rumpled evening dress, and smiled back at her in a rather weary fashion.
