used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
(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 Within Graywater Park all was still, for the hour was late.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I checked the words on my lips, and listened intently.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
appropriatelyadverbUS /əˈproʊpriɪtli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
Barton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THREE NIGHTS LATER "Listen!" cried Sir Lionel Barton.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
carvenadjective
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading I checked the words on my lips, and listened intently.
continuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəs/
continuing in time or space without interruption
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading THREE NIGHTS LATER "Listen!" cried Sir Lionel Barton.
delugenounUS /ˈdeljuːdʒ/
an overwhelming number or amount
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
discernibleadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɜːrnəbəl/
perceptible by the senses or intellect
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
drowningverbUS /ˈdraʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Within Graywater Park all was still, for the hour was late.
Graywater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within Graywater Park all was still, for the hour was late.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Within Graywater Park all was still, for the hour was late.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I checked the words on my lips, and listened intently.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading I checked the words on my lips, and listened intently.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Within Graywater Park all was still, for the hour was late.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading THREE NIGHTS LATER "Listen!" cried Sir Lionel Barton.
Lionel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THREE NIGHTS LATER "Listen!" cried Sir Lionel Barton.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading I checked the words on my lips, and listened intently.
hear with intention
From this reading THREE NIGHTS LATER "Listen!" cried Sir Lionel Barton.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading I checked the words on my lips, and listened intently.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
mantelpiecenoun
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I checked the words on my lips, and listened intently.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading THREE NIGHTS LATER "Listen!" cried Sir Lionel Barton.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I checked the words on my lips, and listened intently.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading Within Graywater Park all was still, for the hour was late.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
term of address for a man
From this reading THREE NIGHTS LATER "Listen!" cried Sir Lionel Barton.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
not in physical motion
From this reading Within Graywater Park all was still, for the hour was late.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Outside, the rain was descending in a deluge, its continuous roar drowning any other sound that might have been discernible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THREE NIGHTS LATER "Listen!" cried Sir Lionel Barton.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He stood upon the black rug before the massive, carven mantelpiece, a huge man in an appropriately huge setting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Within Graywater Park all was still, for the hour was late.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within Graywater Park all was still, for the hour was late.
the words that are spoken
From this reading I checked the words on my lips, and listened intently.
