used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
accusednounUS /əˈkjuːzd/
a defendant in a criminal proceeding
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
BeatricenounUS /ˈbiːətrəs/
the woman who guided Dante through Paradise in the Divine Comedy
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Major Ruck made no direct reply, but touched a bell.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Major Ruck made no direct reply, but touched a bell.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
command with authority
From this reading Major Ruck made no direct reply, but touched a bell.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
evil-lookingadjective
having an evil appearance
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
fearfullyadverb
in fear
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
frightenverbUS /ˈfraɪtən/
cause fear in
From this reading "You say that to frighten me," she gasped.
past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading "You say that to frighten me," she gasped.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Major Ruck made no direct reply, but touched a bell.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading Major Ruck made no direct reply, but touched a bell.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You say that to frighten me," she gasped.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
not any; not one
From this reading Major Ruck made no direct reply, but touched a bell.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Major Ruck made no direct reply, but touched a bell.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
RucknounUS /rʌk/
a crowd especially of ordinary or undistinguished persons or things
From this reading Major Ruck made no direct reply, but touched a bell.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Send Waterloo to me," said the Major.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
express in words
From this reading "You say that to frighten me," she gasped.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading "Send Waterloo to me," said the Major.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You say that to frighten me," she gasped.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "You say that to frighten me," she gasped.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You say that to frighten me," she gasped.
having come into contact
From this reading Major Ruck made no direct reply, but touched a bell.
trampnounUS /træmp/
a vagrant
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
Vivian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
WaterloonounUS /ˈwɔːtərluː/
a town in central Belgium where in 1815 Napoleon met his final defeat
From this reading "Send Waterloo to me," said the Major.
which person or people
From this reading Beatrice sank back in the chair and fixed her eyes fearfully on the man who thus accused Vivian of a terrible crime.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading In response to its sound an old woman neatly dressed, but as evil-looking as the tramp, appeared.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You say that to frighten me," she gasped.
