used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
appreciatedadjectiveUS /əˈpriːʃieɪtɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading Dilling appreciated the dramatic note even while he resented it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading On general principles he despised the theatrical.
Dilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dilling appreciated the dramatic note even while he resented it.
Dilling's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading Dilling appreciated the dramatic note even while he resented it.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
divisible by two
From this reading Dilling appreciated the dramatic note even while he resented it.
framedadjectiveUS /freɪmd/
provided with a frame
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading On general principles he despised the theatrical.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
insistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstənt/
repetitive and persistent
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dilling appreciated the dramatic note even while he resented it.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
a brief written record
From this reading Dilling appreciated the dramatic note even while he resented it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On general principles he despised the theatrical.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading On general principles he despised the theatrical.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
resentedverbUS /riˈzentɪd/
past form of “resent” — feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading Dilling appreciated the dramatic note even while he resented it.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
tappingnounUS /ˈtæpɪŋ/
the sound of light blow or knock
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
theatricaladjectiveUS /θiˈætrɪkəl/
of or relating to the theater
From this reading On general principles he despised the theatrical.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A light but insistent tapping put an end to Dilling’s reflections.
in the direction of
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
well-timedadjective
done or happening at the appropriate or proper time
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Dilling appreciated the dramatic note even while he resented it.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading “Come in!” he called, impatiently, and turned towards the window as if intent upon the landscape.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading There was a slight pause, and then, like a well-timed bit of stage business, a woman stood framed in the open door.
