used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/
acquired as your own by free choice
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
move towards
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading For an instant Ralph regretted that he was not armed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
cat-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
cock-pit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
intentionally conceived
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
footfallnounUS /ˈfʊtfɔːl/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an instant Ralph regretted that he was not armed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading For an instant Ralph regretted that he was not armed.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was only a momentary thought.
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 No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading But it was only a momentary thought.
not any; not one
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
and nothing more
From this reading But it was only a momentary thought.
pussy-footing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
on the contrary
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading For an instant Ralph regretted that he was not armed.
reverienounUS /ˈrevəri/
absentminded dreaming while awake
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
moving very fast
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But it was only a momentary thought.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ralph was interrupted in his reverie by the sound of a swift, cat-like footfall behind him.
(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 No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
whoever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was conscious of a sudden thrill that was not exactly fear but rather apprehension, as whoever was pussy-footing through the dark cock-pit drew closer.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading No man on an honest errand, as he well knew, would have adopted that stealthy method of approach.
