used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
anew
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
on or to one side
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
bewildermentnounUS /bɪˈwɪldərmənt/
confusion resulting from failure to understand
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
detectivesnounUS /dɪˈtektɪvz/
plural of “detective” — a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
emergeverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/
come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
Galer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
half-heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
identifyverbUS /aɪˈdentəfaɪ/
recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
MollynounUS /ˈmɑːli/
popular aquarium fish
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
raynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
solutionnounUS /səˈluːʃən/
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
strifenounUS /straɪf/
lack of agreement or harmony
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The half-heard conversation between the detectives had done nothing toward a solution of the mystery.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Galer's voice she thought she recognized as one that she had heard before; but she could not identify it.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Pressed, rigid, against the wall behind her curtain, Molly had listened in utter bewilderment to the sounds of strife in the passage outside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
at the time that
From this reading When the detectives had passed away together down the corridor, she had imagined that the adventure was at an end and that she was at liberty to emerge--cautiously--from her hiding place and follow them downstairs.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading She had stretched out a hand, to draw the curtain aside, when she caught sight of the yellow ray of the lamp on the floor, and shrank back again.
