used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
ajaradjectiveUS /əˈdʒɑːr/
slightly open
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading He could see the three men bending over Forrester.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Their voices came in confused, broken, snatches:
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading Their voices came in confused, broken, snatches:
connectingverbUS /kəˈnektɪŋ/
-ing form of “connect” — connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
without stop or interruption
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could see the three men bending over Forrester.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
Dale'snounUS /deɪlz/
possessive form of “dale” — an open river valley (in a hilly area)
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
DEFAULTERnounUS /dɪˈfɔːltər/
someone who fails to make a required appearance in court
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
Forrester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could see the three men bending over Forrester.
in a gradual manner
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
horrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrəfaɪd/
stricken with horror
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Their voices came in confused, broken, snatches:
inchnounUS /ɪntʃ/
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
Jimmie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
knobnounUS /nɑːb/
a circular rounded projection or protuberance
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
the force of workers available
From this reading He could see the three men bending over Forrester.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He could see the three men bending over Forrester.
picklock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
move hurridly
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He could see the three men bending over Forrester.
snatchesnounUS /ˈsnætʃɪz/
plural of “snatch” — a small fragment
From this reading Their voices came in confused, broken, snatches:
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their voices came in confused, broken, snatches:
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He could see the three men bending over Forrester.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Their voices came in confused, broken, snatches:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DEFAULTER At the other door the knocking still continued--and then it was opened--and there came a chorus of low, horrified, startled cries, and the quick rush of feet into the room.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The picklock went back into Jimmie Dale's pocket, and crouched, now, his hand on the knob, turning it gradually without a sound, drawing the door ajar inch by inch, he kept his eyes on the doorway connecting with the other room.
