used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
anew
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
completely unclothed
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
discardedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɑːrdɪd/
thrown away
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
footprintsnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnts/
plural of “footprint” — a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
set up or found
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
improvisedadjectiveUS /ˈɪmprəvaɪzd/
done or made using whatever is available
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
Jasper'snounUS /ˈdʒæspərz/
possessive form of “jasper” — an opaque form of quartz; red or yellow or brown or dark green in color; used for ornamentation or as a gemstone
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
the force of workers available
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
Nyoda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
ragnounUS /ræɡ/
a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
removeverbUS /riˈmuːv/
remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
runnernounUS /ˈrʌnər/
someone who imports or exports without paying duties
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
scratchedverbUS /skrætʃt/
past form of “scratch” — cause friction
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
not in physical motion
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading The day before, in anticipation of the coming of the men from the second hand store to remove the discarded furniture from Uncle Jasper’s study, she had improvised a runner to cover the front stairs to keep them from being scratched.
on a floor above
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
at the time that
From this reading Nyoda discovered them first when she raised the curtains on the stair landing on her way down to bring in the morning paper.
a Caucasian
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
Winnebagos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The stretch from the upstairs to the landing she had covered with a strip of rag carpet, and from the landing down she had used a length of white canvas.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading The Winnebagos woke bright and early the next morning, eager to begin the search for the secret passage again, but whatever plans they had formed were driven entirely out of their minds by the appearance of the footprints on the stairs.
but in spite of that
From this reading The landing itself was still bare, as she had not yet found the old rug she intended laying there.
