Chapter VII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The whispering and pattering of feet was in the front hall, but Tom Jonah’s old ears were sharp.

possessive form of “butler” — a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The sounds came nearer.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading The whispering and pattering of feet was in the front hall, but Tom Jonah’s old ears were sharp.

divisible by two

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading The whispering and pattering of feet was in the front hall, but Tom Jonah’s old ears were sharp.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The whispering and pattering of feet was in the front hall, but Tom Jonah’s old ears were sharp.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

(Old Testament) Jonah did not wish to become a prophet so God caused a great storm to throw him overboard from a ship; he was saved by being swallowed by a whale that vomited him out onto dry land

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whispering and pattering of feet was in the front hall, but Tom Jonah’s old ears were sharp.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading The sounds came nearer.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

a small storeroom for storing foods or wines

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whispering and pattering of feet was in the front hall, but Tom Jonah’s old ears were sharp.

the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

in a sedate manner

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading The whispering and pattering of feet was in the front hall, but Tom Jonah’s old ears were sharp.

wearing footgear

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

with low volume

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The sounds came nearer.

support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

changing location by moving back and forth

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

male cat

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The whispering and pattering of feet was in the front hall, but Tom Jonah’s old ears were sharp.

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind

From this reading The whispering and pattering of feet was in the front hall, but Tom Jonah’s old ears were sharp.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.

gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something

From this reading The old dog, Tom Jonah, rose, yawning, from his rug before the kitchen range, walked sedately to the swinging door of the butler’s pantry, and put his nose against it.

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading “GOD REST YE, MERRIE GENTLEMEN” There was a whisper in the corridor, a patter of softly shod feet upon the stair.

but in spite of that

From this reading Even Uncle Rufus had not as yet arisen, and it was as black as pitch outside the Corner House windows.