used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
absorbingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
apartmentsnounUS /əˈpɑːrtmənts/
plural of “apartment” — a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
cowardsnounUS /ˈkaʊərdz/
plural of “coward” — a person who shows fear or timidity
From this reading The cowards!
crawlingnounUS /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Surely they will never dare!
deliberationnounUS /dɪˌlɪbərˈeɪʃən/
(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
dialnounUS /ˈdaɪəl/
the face of a timepiece; graduated to show the hours
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
being one more than seven
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
furzenoun
very spiny and dense evergreen shrub with fragrant golden-yellow flowers; common throughout western Europe
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
gabbleverb
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
hissingnounUS /ˈhɪsɪŋ/
a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
mantelshelf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
Munoz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
murderersnounUS /ˈmɜːrdərərz/
plural of “murderer” — a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Surely they will never dare!
ninthnounUS /naɪnθ/
position nine in a countable series of things
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
PERSUASIONnounUS /pərˈsweɪʒən/
the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
Queen'snounUS /kwiːnz/
possessive form of “queen” — the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
ROLLOnounUS /ˈrɑːloʊ/
Norse chieftain who became the first duke of Normandy (860-931)
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
rustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/
make a dry crackling sound
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
scurryverbUS /ˈskɜːri/
to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
SenornounUS /ˌsiːˈnjɔːr/
a Spanish title or form of address for a man; similar to the English “Mr” or “sir”
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
shrillyadverb
in a shrill voice
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Surely they will never dare!
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Surely they will never dare!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
USESnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading ROLLO USES A LITTLE PERSUASION Five, six, seven, eight of the ten slow minutes passed away, and beyond a glance at the clock and a more absorbing interest in the furze on his chin, Senor Munoz had not moved.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
at the time that
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a rapid gabble of tongues, a scurry of footsteps, the hissing rustle of stiff silken skirts along narrow passages, and a voice which exclaimed more and more shrilly, "The murderers!
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Surely they will never dare!
in the company of; together with
From this reading The seconds hand upon the clock on the mantelshelf was crawling round its miniature dial for the ninth time with vast apparent deliberation, when a noise was heard from the direction of the Queen's apartments.
