AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
alarmnounUS /əˈlɑːrm/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
assassinnounUS /əˈsæsən/
a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
BarkleynounUS /ˈbɑːrkli/
United States politician and lawyer; vice president of the United States (1877-1956)
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
bloodnounUS /blʌd/
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
calmlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmli/
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
carefuladjectiveUS /ˈkerfəl/
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
countenancenounUS /ˈkaʊntənəns/
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
describedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskraɪbd/
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
doorwaynounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪ/
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
eagerlyadverbUS /ˈiːɡərli/
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
facesnounUS /ˈfeɪsəz/
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
fixedadjectiveUS /fɪkst/
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
hidverbUS /hɪd/
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
judgedverbUS /dʒʌdʒd/
past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
minutenounUS /ˈmɪnət/
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
openingnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
painfuladjectiveUS /ˈpeɪnfəl/
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
PAUSEnounUS /pɔːz/
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
prepossessingadjective
creating a favorable impression
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
sightnounUS /saɪt/
an instance of visual perception
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
SirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
sootheverbUS /suːð/
give moral or emotional strength to
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
stayedverbUS /steɪd/
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
swordnounUS /sɔːrd/
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
timiditynounUS /təˈmɪdəti/
fear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
viewnounUS /vjuː/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
well-armed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But when it was at length opened, the sight that it presented was not well calculated to soothe any one's alarm.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The countenance of the first, Sir George Barkley, which we have already described, was certainly not very prepossessing, and to the eyes of Laura, there was not one who had not the countenance of an assassin.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
WiltonnounUS /ˈwɪltən/
a carpet woven on a Jacquard loom with loops like a Brussels carpet but having the loops cut to form a close velvety pile
From this reading Wilton, who saw all that took place more calmly, judged by the careful opening of the door, that there was a good deal of timidity in the persons whom it hid from their view.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the doorway itself were three well-armed men, with each his sword drawn in his hand, while behind these again were seen the faces of several more.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading A PAUSE of expectation, even if it be but for a minute, is sometimes the most painful thing in the world; and the heart of poor Laura at that moment, while the door was being slowly opened, and all their eyes were fixed eagerly upon it, felt as if the blood were stayed in it till it was nearly bursting.
