abackadverbUS /əˈbæk/
having the wind against the forward side of the sails
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
automobilenounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
consciencesnounUS /ˈkɑːntʃɪnsɪz/
plural of “conscience” — motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
one or the other of two
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He stood staring at Ruth, who had followed Mrs. Porter into the room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
brought together in one place
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He stood staring at Ruth, who had followed Mrs. Porter into the room.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He stood staring at Ruth, who had followed Mrs. Porter into the room.
invasionnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪʒən/
the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
KirknounUS /kɜːrk/
a Scottish church
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
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 The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
Mamie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
mistrustingverbUS /mɪˈstrʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “mistrust” — regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
a particular point in time
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
morrownounUS /ˈmɑːroʊ/
the next day
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
PorternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
Porter'snounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
possessive form of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
not used up
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
revellersnounUS /ˈrevələrz/
plural of “reveller” — a celebrant who shares in a noisy party
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He stood staring at Ruth, who had followed Mrs. Porter into the room.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
express in words
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading He stood staring at Ruth, who had followed Mrs. Porter into the room.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood staring at Ruth, who had followed Mrs. Porter into the room.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The excitement of the moment had kept them from hearing the sound of the automobile which Mrs. Porter, mistrusting the rough road that led to the shack, had stopped some distance away.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
up to a particular time
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
undisturbedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈstɜːrbd/
untroubled by interference or disturbance
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
WaterloonounUS /ˈwɔːtərluː/
a town in central Belgium where in 1815 Napoleon met his final defeat
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Their guilty consciences had never been quite free from the idea of the possibility of pursuit; but Kirk, having gathered from Mamie that neither Ruth nor her aunt was aware of what had happened, had counted upon remaining undisturbed till the time for return came on the morrow.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
which person or people
From this reading He stood staring at Ruth, who had followed Mrs. Porter into the room.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Perhaps, on the whole, Kirk was more surprised than either of his companions.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mrs. Porter’s Waterloo Of the little band of revellers it would be hard to say which was the most taken aback at this invasion.
