used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
anew
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
increase twofold
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
one or the other of two
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
flagsnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Nobody for us, I hope."
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
a man of refinement
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
gentlenessnounUS /ˈdʒentəlnəs/
the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "Nobody for us, I hope."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Nobody for us, I hope."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
no person; not anyone
From this reading "Nobody for us, I hope."
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
postmannounUS /ˈpoʊstmən/
a man who delivers the mail
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
rat-tat-tat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
shufflingnounUS /ˈʃʌflɪŋ/
walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
stammered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
Swinton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She started again, and again showed signs of confusion, as the shuffling of feet on the flags outside was followed by a knock at the door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Nobody for us, I hope."
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading It was a double one; not the violent repeat of the postman, but the rat-tat-tat given either by a gentleman or lady--from its gentleness more like the latter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
at the time that
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
which person or people
From this reading "Who can it be?" asked Swinton, taking the pipe from between his teeth.
WildernounUS /ˈwaɪldər/
United States writer and dramatist (1897-1975)
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was a time when Frances Wilder would not have trembled at such a question, nor stammered in her reply.
