used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not a glint of light, not a sound....
anew
From this reading When he moved again, it was with scrupulous caution.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading When he moved again, it was with scrupulous caution.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
fastnesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
start firing a weapon
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
glintverbUS /ɡlɪnt/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Not a glint of light, not a sound....
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he moved again, it was with scrupulous caution.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
householdernounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊldər/
someone who owns a home
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
irresistibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbəl/
impossible to resist; overpowering
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When he moved again, it was with scrupulous caution.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Not a glint of light, not a sound....
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading When he moved again, it was with scrupulous caution.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a glint of light, not a sound....
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not a glint of light, not a sound....
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
qualmsnounUS /kwɑːmz/
plural of “qualm” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
righteousadjectiveUS /ˈraɪtʃəs/
characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
scrupulousadjectiveUS /ˈskruːpjələs/
having scruples; arising from a sense of right and wrong; principled
From this reading When he moved again, it was with scrupulous caution.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
with low volume
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Not a glint of light, not a sound....
StealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
surmiseverbUS /sərˈmaɪz/
infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading He was sensible of suspense and qualms, of creeping flesh and an almost irresistible inclination to hold his breath.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
thickenverbUS /ˈθɪkən/
make thick or thicker
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Stealing softly on, the darkness seemed to thicken round him.
trespassernoun
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
UncannyadjectiveUS /ənˈkæni/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
not known
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
vigilantadjectiveUS /ˈvɪdʒələnt/
carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
From this reading Uncanny business, this--penetrating unknown fastnesses of a dark and silent house at dead of night: a trespasser unable to surmise when the righteous householder, lurking on familiar ground and vigilant under arms, might not open fire....
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When he moved again, it was with scrupulous caution.
at the time that
From this reading When he moved again, it was with scrupulous caution.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he moved again, it was with scrupulous caution.
