Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

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

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Nora screamed and threw her arms about her mother's neck.

the state of being absent

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

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

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

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

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

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

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading Nora screamed and threw her arms about her mother's neck.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

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

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

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

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

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

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

fall or come down violently

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

a female human offspring

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

plural of “exclamation” — an abrupt excited utterance

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

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

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

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

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

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

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

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

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

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

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

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

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

capable of being apprehended or understood

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

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

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

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

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Nora screamed and threw her arms about her mother's neck.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

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

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

of an obscure nature

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Nora screamed and threw her arms about her mother's neck.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

cut slightly, with a razor

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

not any; not one

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

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

From this reading Nora screamed and threw her arms about her mother's neck.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

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

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Nora screamed and threw her arms about her mother's neck.

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

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

without speaking

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

having a supporting base

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

in a stealthy manner

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

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

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Nora screamed and threw her arms about her mother's neck.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

the topmost one of two

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

communicated in words

From this reading Mrs. Friestone uttered a faint cry and sank back on her chair.

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

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

at the time that

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

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 Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

the words that are spoken

From this reading Mike Murphy had slipped so silently from among them that no one was aware of his absence when the bumping and crash at the rear were followed by exclamations and words that were not intelligible.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading IN THE NICK OF TIME Standing in the darkness of the upper front room, stealthily watching the mysterious stranger on the other side of the street in the shadow of the elm, and knowing that burglars were at work below stairs--the nerves of mother and daughter and of Alvin Landon and Chester Haynes were on edge.

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

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Had they peered out of the window less than half an hour earlier they would have seen the meeting between the lookout and young Jim Buxton.