aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
(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 Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
Annie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
assistantsnounUS /əˈsɪstənts/
plural of “assistant” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
assuringadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrɪŋ/
giving confidence
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
bare-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
black-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
callersnounUS /ˈkɔːlərz/
plural of “caller” — a social or business visitor
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
choir-master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
Chris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/
past form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
clergymannounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimən/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
deferentiallyadverb
in a servile manner
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
dimnessnoun
the state of being poorly illuminated
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading More flowers--more flowers--and more.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
fursnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fur” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
good-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
of great significance or value
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
Joseph'snounUS /ˈdʒoʊzəfs/
possessive form of “joseph” — leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
and nothing more
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
LeenounUS /liː/
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
Leslie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
maidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
the force of workers available
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
messagesnounUS /ˈmesədʒəz/
plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading More flowers--more flowers--and more.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
murmuringnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
NormanounUS /ˈnɔːrmə/
a small constellation in the southern hemisphere near Lupus and Ara in the Milky Way
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
with low volume
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
on the contrary
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
representativenounUS /ˌreprəˈzentətɪv/
a person who represents others
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
tediousadjectiveUS /ˈtiːdiəs/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
tremulousadjectiveUS /ˈtremjələs/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
unchangedadjectiveUS /ənˈtʃeɪndʒd/
not made or become different
From this reading The evening moved through its dark and sombre hours unchanged; Joseph's assistants opened and opened and opened the door.
uncomfortable-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
on a floor above
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Chris spoke to Norma in the hall, just after she had said good-night to some rather important callers, assuring them that Annie and Leslie were well, and had been kissed herself as their representative.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Certain persons went quietly upstairs, women in rich furs, and bare-headed, uncomfortable-looking men, entered the front room, and passed through with serious faces and slowly shaking heads.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Notes, telephone messages, black-clad callers murmuring in the dimness of the lower hall, maids coming noiselessly and deferentially, the clergyman, the doctor, the choir-master, old Judge Lee tremulous and tedious, all her world circled about the lifeless form of the old mistress of the house.
