used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
acenounUS /eɪs/
the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was the ace of spades.
(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 The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
confined by bonds
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
bulgingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌldʒɪŋ/
curving or bulging outward
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
a game played with playing cards
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
cordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
coverletnoun
a decorative bedspread (usually quilted)
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
discoloured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
distortedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɔːrtəd/
so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
dollnounUS /dɑːl/
a small replica of a person; used as a toy
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the ace of spades.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
staying power
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
limplyadverb
without rigidity
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
looselyadverbUS /ˈluːsli/
in a relaxed manner; not rigid
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
arrange in a container
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
protrudingadjectiveUS /proʊˈtruːdɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
remorselessadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɔːrsləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
saw-dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
spadesnounUS /speɪdz/
plural of “spade” — a playing card in the major suit that has one or more black figures on it
From this reading It was the ace of spades.
sprawlingnounUS /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/
an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
strangledadjectiveUS /ˈstræŋɡəld/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
directed up
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of the dead woman lay another card with the face upward.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was not less so.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The head lay limply on the shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner.
