used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
apoplecticadjectiveUS /ˌæpəˈplektɪk/
pertaining to or characteristic of apoplexy
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
subject to appointment
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
coppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “For heaven's sake,” he said, “don't mention jackals.”
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “For heaven's sake,” he said, “don't mention jackals.”
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
depressingly dark
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
gorgeouslyadverb
in an impressively beautiful manner
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
hangingsnounUS /ˈhæŋɡɪŋz/
plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “For heaven's sake,” he said, “don't mention jackals.”
heaven'snounUS /ˈhevənz/
possessive form of “heaven” — any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading “For heaven's sake,” he said, “don't mention jackals.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
jackals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “For heaven's sake,” he said, “don't mention jackals.”
lamplightnoun
light from a lamp
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
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 His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
make reference to
From this reading “For heaven's sake,” he said, “don't mention jackals.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
peacocknounUS /ˈpiːkɑːk/
European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
releasingadjectiveUS /riˈliːsɪŋ/
emotionally purging (of e.g. art)
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “For heaven's sake,” he said, “don't mention jackals.”
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading “For heaven's sake,” he said, “don't mention jackals.”
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The Major stepped into a rich, glowing room, full of red copper, and peacock and purple hangings, hat in hand.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Then he threw open the door, releasing a burst of red lamplight, and ran downstairs with a clatter.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading His guide led him through the back passages of a gloomy, but gorgeously appointed house, until they reached the door of the front room.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then the old man turned with a face of apoplectic terror dimly showing in the twilight.
