used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
ClarknounUS /klɑːrk/
United States explorer who (with Meriwether Lewis) led an expedition from St. Louis to the mouth of the Columbia River; Clark was responsible for making maps of the area (1770-1838)
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Come!” she whispered, and led the way into the house.
cordiallyadverbUS /ˈkɔːrdʒəli/
in a hearty manner
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
Darings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
EliotnounUS /ˈeliət/
British poet (born in the United States) who won the Nobel prize for literature; his plays are outstanding examples of modern verse drama (1888-1965)
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
enthusiasticadjectiveUS /ɪnˌθuːziˈæstɪk/
having or showing great excitement and interest
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
favoritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
Ferguson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
HalfwayadjectiveUS /ˈhæfˈweɪ/
equally distant from the extremes
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
not accessible to view
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
homesteadnounUS /ˈhoʊmsted/
the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “Come!” she whispered, and led the way into the house.
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading “Come!” she whispered, and led the way into the house.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
MARION'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
come together
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
Phœbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
cut with a saw
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
in the near future
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
confined on all sides
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
TobynounUS /ˈtoʊbi/
a drinking mug in the shape of a stout man wearing a three-cornered hat
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading Halfway up the stairs she paused to look back, not hearing his footsteps; but he was so close behind that he startled her and soon she had ushered him into her own little room.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “Come!” she whispered, and led the way into the house.
at the time that
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
in or at the place that
From this reading Phœbe, glancing sharply around, saw Toby Clark leaning against a column of the dining room porch, where he was half hidden by the vines.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading They surrounded her in a group before she could reach the house, while Phil came across the lawn to meet her and shake hands cordially.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading “Come!” she whispered, and led the way into the house.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
in the company of; together with
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading MARION’S GHOST STORY When Janet Ferguson arrived at the Eliot homestead that evening she was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the younger Darings, with whom she was a great favorite.
