used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
in a state of sleep
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What do you want?"
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
divisible by two
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
hallwaynounUS /ˈhɔːlweɪ/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
HOSPITALITYnounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/
kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
From this reading TORY HOSPITALITY.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
Jacob'snounUS /ˈdʒeɪkəbz/
possessive form of “jacob” — French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
not any; not one
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
and nothing more
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
shroudedverbUS /ˈʃraʊdɪd/
past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
in the near future
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
TORYnounUS /ˈtɔːri/
an American who favored the British side during the American Revolution
From this reading TORY HOSPITALITY.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading As a matter of fact, it was only owing to the tone of his voice that they understood a man was before them.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "What do you want?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Although there were no lights to be seen from the outside, the boys soon learned that the inmates of the dwelling were not asleep, for in response to Jacob's vigorous knocking the door was opened after a delay of only a few seconds, and a voice asked:
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What do you want?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading The speaker had brought no light with him, and, shrouded in the dense darkness of the hallway, it was impossible for the boys to distinguish even the form of their host.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What do you want?"
