used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
make calm or still
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
circlingverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
not accessible to view
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
CoolidgenounUS /ˈkuːlɪdʒ/
elected vice president and succeeded as 30th President of the United States when Harding died in 1923 (1872-1933)
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
the act of departing
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
drivewaynounUS /ˈdraɪvweɪ/
a road leading up to a private house
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
one or the other of two
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
divisible by two
From this reading There was no pretence even at speeding the parting guest.
communicated in words
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading There was no pretence even at speeding the parting guest.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
the sound of laughing
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
Natalie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
not any; not one
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
and nothing more
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
the act of departing politely
From this reading There was no pretence even at speeding the parting guest.
Percival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
participate in games or sport
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading There was no pretence even at speeding the parting guest.
proceedingsnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
searchedverbUS /sɜːrtʃt/
past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
SextonnounUS /ˈsekstən/
United States poet (1928-1974)
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
speedingnounUS /ˈspiːdɪŋ/
changing location rapidly
From this reading There was no pretence even at speeding the parting guest.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
SUICIDEnounUS /ˈsuːəsaɪd/
the act of killing yourself
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no pretence even at speeding the parting guest.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
in or at the place that
From this reading From behind where the guests were at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house itself expressed only calm indifference.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading THE BODY OF A SUICIDE As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the steps.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading His glance searched the front of the mansion vainly; no window revealed an occupant.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain carefully concealed within.
