used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
affirmativeadjectiveUS /əˈfɜːrmətɪv/
affirming or giving assent
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
backwardsadverbUS /ˈbækwərdz/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
a female human offspring
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
in a gradual manner
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
a young female
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
the act of departing
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
heelnounUS /hiːl/
the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The provost returned, and two hours later supper was served.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The provost returned, and two hours later supper was served.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
liquornounUS /ˈlɪkər/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
moustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
provostnounUS /ˈproʊvoʊst/
a high-ranking university administrator
From this reading The provost returned, and two hours later supper was served.
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
quartnounUS /kwɔːrt/
a United States liquid unit equal to 32 fluid ounces; four quarts equal one gallon
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The provost returned, and two hours later supper was served.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
put a saddle on
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
except for; apart from
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The provost returned, and two hours later supper was served.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading The provost returned, and two hours later supper was served.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He ate and drank like a man more at home at table than in the saddle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
twirledverbUS /twɜːrld/
past form of “twirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The provost returned, and two hours later supper was served.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading The marquis hummed an air in the middle of the room, twirled his moustache, turning on his heel and looking cautiously around; then he gently drew a purse from his trousers pocket, and as the daughter of the house was coming and going, he threw his arms round her neck as if to kiss her, and whispered, slipping ten Louis into her hand--
in the company of; together with
From this reading The girl went backwards nearly to the door, and returning with an expressive look, made an affirmative sign with her hand.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "The key of the front door in my room, and a quart of liquor to the sentinels, and you save my life."
