used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
completely unclothed
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
communicatingnounUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪŋ/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
placed crosswise
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
Dunbarton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
Eaton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading With raised finger she turned to say 'Sh!'
foldingnounUS /ˈfoʊldɪŋ/
the process whereby a protein molecule assumes its intricate three-dimensional shape
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
grandfather'snounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “grandfather” — the father of your father or mother
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
a particular point in time
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
parquetnounUS /pɑːrˈkeɪ/
a floor made of parquetry
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
the act of departing politely
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading With raised finger she turned to say 'Sh!'
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
Identical; not different.
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
express in words
From this reading With raised finger she turned to say 'Sh!'
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
Sh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With raised finger she turned to say 'Sh!'
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
without speaking
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
with low volume
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
spacesnounUS /ˈspeɪsəz/
plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
make square
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
successive (without a break)
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A little before six o'clock on that same Sunday, Jean Dunbarton opened the communicating door between her own little sitting-room and the big bare drawing-room of her grandfather's house in Eaton Square.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
treadingverbUS /ˈtredɪŋ/
-ing form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading She stood a moment on the threshold, looking back over her shoulder, and then crossed the drawing-room, treading softly on the parquet spaces between the rugs.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading With raised finger she turned to say 'Sh!'
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
at the time that
From this reading She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The servant stood silently waiting, while she went back to the door she had left open and with an air of caution closed it.
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 She went straight to the window, and was in the act of parting the lace curtains to look out, when she heard the folding doors open.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With raised finger she turned to say 'Sh!'
