used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading Leo stopped short, as though her look was an actual barrier, and bowed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
Andreievna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading Leo stopped short, as though her look was an actual barrier, and bowed.
basket-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
BedouinnounUS /ˈbedoʊən/
a member of a nomadic tribe of Arabs
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading Leo stopped short, as though her look was an actual barrier, and bowed.
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 _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
crochetingnounUS /kroʊˈʃeɪɪŋ/
needlework done by interlocking looped stitches with a hooked needle
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
drillverbUS /drɪl/
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
Grath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
grenadiernoun
an infantryman equipped with grenades
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
not accessible to view
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
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 She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
LeonounUS /ˈliːoʊ/
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Leo
From this reading Leo stopped short, as though her look was an actual barrier, and bowed.
LeonardnounUS /ˈlenərd/
United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Leo stopped short, as though her look was an actual barrier, and bowed.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
new-comer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
paradenounUS /pərˈeɪd/
a ceremonial procession including people marching
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
precisely, exactly
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
satchelnoun
luggage consisting of a small case with a flat bottom and (usually) a shoulder strap
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Leo stopped short, as though her look was an actual barrier, and bowed.
Sonia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Leo stopped short, as though her look was an actual barrier, and bowed.
sunbeamnounUS /ˈsʌnbiːm/
a ray of sunlight
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Leo stopped short, as though her look was an actual barrier, and bowed.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
someone who visits
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went on crocheting a piece of lace, the other end of which was hidden in an old-fashioned basket-work satchel that hung on her left arm.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _In which it is obvious that the owner is a guest in his own house_ Leonard Grath entered the Copper House like a visitor, hat in hand.
which person or people
From this reading A sunbeam lay right across the polished oak floor of the hall, and in the middle of the patch of light stood a tall, old lady, as upright as a grenadier, and as thin and dark as a Bedouin, who fixed a penetrating glance upon the new-comer.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Sonia Andreievna," said the old lady, in the tone of a drill sergeant on parade, "where have you been?"
