Chapter XI · Chapter 11

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

possessive form of “chief” — a person who is in charge

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

a government administrator

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

possessive form of “commissioner” — a government administrator

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

a knob used to release the catch when opening a door (often called “doorhandle” in Great Britain)

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

a cell in which soldiers who are prisoners are confined

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

of great significance or value

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

Swiss chemist who synthesized DDT and discovered its use as an insecticide (1899-1965)

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

occurring from time to time

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

having official authority or sanction

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

and nothing more

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

in other respects or ways

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

the force of policemen and officers

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

make a dry crackling sound

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

a harsh noise made by scraping

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

(poetic) tranquil silence

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Joseph Muller stood in the open door, awaiting his chief’s official recognition.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

untroubled by interference or disturbance

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Commissioner Von Riedau sat at his desk late that evening, finishing up some important papers.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

look attentively

From this reading The quiet of an undisturbed night watch had settled down on the busy police station.

a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind

From this reading An occasional low murmur of whispering voices floated up from the guardroom below, but otherwise the stillness was broken only by the scratching of the commissioner’s pen and the rustle of the paper as he turned the leaves.

which person or people

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a silence so complete that a light step on the stair outside and the gentle turning of the doorknob was heard distinctly and the commissioner looked up with almost a start to see who was coming to his room so late.