used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
adjoiningverbUS /əˈdʒɔɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mystified, Lanyard undressed and turned in, but not to sleep--not for a little, at least.
automaticadjectiveUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
operating with minimal human intervention; independent of external control
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
blottedverbUS /ˈblɑːtəd/
inflected form of “blot” — dry (ink) with blotting paper
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
clickverbUS /klɪk/
move or strike with a noise
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
cubiclenounUS /ˈkjuːbɪkəl/
small room in which a monk or nun lives
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
dartedverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪd/
past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
door-knob
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
extinguishedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/
of a conditioned response; caused to die out because of the absence or withdrawal of reinforcement
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Lanyard's eyes hardened.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
grill-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading Lanyard's eyes hardened.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
LanyardnounUS /ˈlænjərd/
a cord with an attached hook that is used to fire certain types of cannon
From this reading Mystified, Lanyard undressed and turned in, but not to sleep--not for a little, at least.
Lanyard's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lanyard's eyes hardened.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mystified, Lanyard undressed and turned in, but not to sleep--not for a little, at least.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mystified, Lanyard undressed and turned in, but not to sleep--not for a little, at least.
louderadjectiveUS /ˈlaʊdər/
comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
MystifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstəfaɪd/
totally perplexed and mixed up
From this reading Mystified, Lanyard undressed and turned in, but not to sleep--not for a little, at least.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
partitionnounUS /pɑːrˈtɪʃən/
a vertical structure that divides or separates (as a wall divides one room from another)
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
releasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
SimultaneouslyadverbUS /ˌsaɪməlˈteɪniəsli/
at the same instant
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Mystified, Lanyard undressed and turned in, but not to sleep--not for a little, at least.
stateroomnoun
a guest cabin
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
move an implement through
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
switch-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Mystified, Lanyard undressed and turned in, but not to sleep--not for a little, at least.
undressedadjectiveUS /ənˈdrest/
of lumber or stone or hides; not finished or dressed
From this reading Mystified, Lanyard undressed and turned in, but not to sleep--not for a little, at least.
ventilatingverbUS /ˈventəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “ventilate” — expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen
From this reading Instantly a glimmer of light in the forward stateroom showed through a narrow strip of iron grill-work set in the top of the partition for ventilating purposes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
in or at the place that
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading He did not stir from where he stood, but one hand whipped an automatic from his pocket while the other darted out to the switch-box by the head of his berth and extinguished the light.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Simultaneously the door-knob was gently released, and with another louder click the light in the adjoining cubicle was blotted out.
