Chapter XI

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

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

Having no one else present.

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

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

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

give sanction to

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

in an awkward manner

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Since he seemed to want her to look at the drawings first, she did so, studying them carefully as he passed them to her one by one.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Since he seemed to want her to look at the drawings first, she did so, studying them carefully as he passed them to her one by one.

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

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

without deviation

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

plural of “drawing” — an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

divisible by two

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

at any time

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

the act of retaining something

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

a health facility where patients receive treatment

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

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

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

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

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

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

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

superlative of “odd” — not divisible by two

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

above and across; more than

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

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

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Since he seemed to want her to look at the drawings first, she did so, studying them carefully as he passed them to her one by one.

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

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

with low volume

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

inflected form of “refer” — make reference to

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

cut with a saw

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Since he seemed to want her to look at the drawings first, she did so, studying them carefully as he passed them to her one by one.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since he seemed to want her to look at the drawings first, she did so, studying them carefully as he passed them to her one by one.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

having a supporting base

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

superlative of “strange” — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

reading carefully with intent to remember

From this reading Since he seemed to want her to look at the drawings first, she did so, studying them carefully as he passed them to her one by one.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

past form of “switch” — change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

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

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

in the direction of

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

(often followed by “of”) not aware

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

up to a particular time

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

-ing form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Since he seemed to want her to look at the drawings first, she did so, studying them carefully as he passed them to her one by one.

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

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

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

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

at the time that

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading But when she switched on the light directly over the bed she saw that it was one of the drawings which he was extending toward her.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The flowers he was holding a little awkwardly, not even venturing to offer them to her, as if he wasn't quite sure that she would approve of his taste in flowers or would not think him over-presumptuous.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading He had entered the hospital room so quietly that Lynn Prentiss was unaware that she was not alone--the nurse had left fifteen minutes before--until he was standing by the bed with a sheaf of drawings under arm and the strangest, oddest assortment of yellow flowers in the other she had ever seen.

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

From this reading "You'll have to turn on the light to look at these, I guess," he said and she didn't know at first whether he was referring to the flowers or the drawings.