Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading I rang the bell for the valet and sprang out of bed.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "Why didn't you call me this morning?"

a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Why didn't you call me this morning?"

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I rang the bell for the valet and sprang out of bed.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Why didn't you call me this morning?"

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading "Why didn't you call me this morning?"

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

according to the clock

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I rang the bell for the valet and sprang out of bed.

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading I rang the bell for the valet and sprang out of bed.

formed again or anew

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading I rang the bell for the valet and sprang out of bed.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Slowly I realized that it was three o'clock in the afternoon; the events of the night before re-formed themselves in my mind.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "Why didn't you call me this morning?"

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

not rested or refreshed

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer

From this reading I rang the bell for the valet and sprang out of bed.

plural of “vehicle” — a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

someone who visits

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The clock on the mantelpiece was striking three o'clock; from below I could hear the clatter of vehicles in the courtyard, and the distant roar of traffic from the streets beyond.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why didn't you call me this morning?"

in the company of; together with

From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR I sat up in bed, heavy, unrefreshed, and with a splitting headache.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Why didn't you call me this morning?"