used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
anew
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He put his ear against the door and listened for a minute or two.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
courtesynounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsi/
a courteous or respectful or considerate act
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading He put his ear against the door and listened for a minute or two.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
fistnounUS /fɪst/
a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He put his ear against the door and listened for a minute or two.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
to a considerable degree
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
set afire or burning
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He put his ear against the door and listened for a minute or two.
engage in
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading He put his ear against the door and listened for a minute or two.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
absolutely essential
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
oathnounUS /oʊθ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He put his ear against the door and listened for a minute or two.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He put his ear against the door and listened for a minute or two.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
on the contrary
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
Reinhold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
Reinhold's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
scantadjectiveUS /skænt/
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
shirt-sleeves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
slammedverbUS /slæmd/
inflected form of “slam” — close violently
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
stealthilyadverb
in a stealthy manner
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
steppingverbUS /ˈstepɪŋ/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
studionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/
workplace for the teaching or practice of an art
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He put his ear against the door and listened for a minute or two.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then he went back into the room and walked with light steps up to a door which divided his studio from the next one.
whistlingnounUS /ˈwɪslɪŋ/
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
a Caucasian
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
which person or people
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading A smile of satisfaction lighted up his dark face, he drew a deep breath as he stood erect, then stealthily as a cat he ran up the winding iron staircase which led to his own room, whence he had come on hearing Reinhold's knock.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading In a few minutes he came downstairs again, this time without attempting not to make a noise; indeed, rather stepping more heavily than was necessary and whistling a tune.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading The youth in the shirt-sleeves who had answered Reinhold with such scant courtesy, slammed to the door, and shaking his fist muttered a big oath in his native language between his sharp white teeth.
