used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
anew
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
any thing at all
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
Clarenceux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
to come or go into
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
indecision in speech or action
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
fasten with a lock
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
PortugalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtʃəɡəl/
a republic in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; Portuguese explorers and colonists in the 15th and 16th centuries created a vast overseas empire (including Brazil)
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
preferableadjectiveUS /ˈprefərəbəl/
more desirable than another
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
rainingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
falling in drops or as if falling like rain
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
move hurridly
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading For several seconds I stood before it, the key in the lock, afraid to enter.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
switchverbUS /swɪtʃ/
change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
arousing affect
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Then I felt that, whatever the cost, I must go in; and, twisting the key, I pushed heavily at the door, and entered, touching as I did so the electric switch.
at the time that
From this reading THE STRUGGLE When I got back to my little sitting-room at the Hotel de Portugal, I experienced a certain timid hesitation in opening the door.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I wanted to rush out again, to walk the streets all night; it was raining, but I thought that anything would be preferable to the inside of my sitting-room.
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the chair which stood before the writing-table in the middle of the room sat the figure of Lord Clarenceux.
