used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
bucketnounUS /ˈbʌkət/
a roughly cylindrical vessel that is open at the top
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/
plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
eavesnounUS /iːvz/
the overhang at the lower edge of a roof
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
set up or found
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
made afraid
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
gaspingverbUS /ˈɡæspɪŋ/
-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
ghostlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊstli/
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
a young female
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading And somehow I was holding her hand in mine, and my mouth was making irrelevant noises, and I was trembling.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And somehow I was holding her hand in mine, and my mouth was making irrelevant noises, and I was trembling.
the act of retaining something
From this reading And somehow I was holding her hand in mine, and my mouth was making irrelevant noises, and I was trembling.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
irrelevantadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreləvənt/
having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
From this reading And somehow I was holding her hand in mine, and my mouth was making irrelevant noises, and I was trembling.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
without good reason
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
most important element
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading And somehow I was holding her hand in mine, and my mouth was making irrelevant noises, and I was trembling.
mazenounUS /meɪz/
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And somehow I was holding her hand in mine, and my mouth was making irrelevant noises, and I was trembling.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading And somehow I was holding her hand in mine, and my mouth was making irrelevant noises, and I was trembling.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
skylightsnounUS /ˈskaɪlaɪts/
plural of “skylight” — a window in a roof to admit daylight
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
slantverbUS /slænt/
lie obliquely
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading And somehow I was holding her hand in mine, and my mouth was making irrelevant noises, and I was trembling.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading "It was a bucket," she laughed, "and I stumbled over it,--and it fell--and--and I nearly did,--and I am frightened!"
terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
a shaky motion
From this reading And somehow I was holding her hand in mine, and my mouth was making irrelevant noises, and I was trembling.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading I turned, gasping; and found the girl lying safe, but terrified, on the verge of the roof.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
at the time that
From this reading I skirted the chimney and stepped lightly over the eaves, calling, "Now then!" when a muffled cry, followed by a crash in the courtyard beneath, shook my heart into my mouth.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading Then I dragged this ladder down the gentle slant of the roof, through a maze of ghostly chimneys and dim skylights, to the kitchen wing, which was a few feet lower than the main body of the building.
