Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

surprising greatly

From this reading An amazing scene confronted him.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

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

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

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

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading He was not hurt, and bounded like a rubber ball to his feet.

a continuing very loud noise

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

(of a surface) not written or printed on

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

the lower side of anything

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

having the limits or boundaries established

From this reading He was not hurt, and bounded like a rubber ball to his feet.

past form of “bump” — knock against with force or violence

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

plural of “burglar” — a thief who enters a building with intent to steal

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading An amazing scene confronted him.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

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

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading He was not hurt, and bounded like a rubber ball to his feet.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

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

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

understanding with difficulty

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

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

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

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

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

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

From this reading An amazing scene confronted him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

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

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

be the source of pain

From this reading He was not hurt, and bounded like a rubber ball to his feet.

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

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

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

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

fasten with a latch

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

past form of “latch” — fasten with a latch

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He was not hurt, and bounded like a rubber ball to his feet.

fasten with a lock

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products

From this reading He was not hurt, and bounded like a rubber ball to his feet.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading An amazing scene confronted him.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

footwear shaped to fit the foot (below the ankle) with a flexible upper of leather or plastic and a sole and heel of heavier material

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

past form of “sprawl” — sit or lie with one's limbs spread out

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

the property possessed by a slope that is very steep

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

not in physical motion

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

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

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

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

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

being unoccupied

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

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

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

at the time that

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

in or at the place that

From this reading When Mike Murphy was groping about in the blank darkness, where nothing was familiar, he did not know, as has been said, of the steepness of the steps.

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

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Thus he placed his shoe upon vacancy, and, unable to check himself, bumped to the bottom, striking every step on the route, and banging against the door with such force that the latch gave away, it flew open, and he sprawled on his hands and knees, still grasping the rifle with which he had set out to hunt for burglars.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading A CLEVER TRICK At the foot of the rear stairs in the home of Widow Friestone was an ordinary door latched at night, but without any lock.