used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
anew
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
(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 BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
amateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At any moment some one might come running up to the nursery.
move towards
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At any moment some one might come running up to the nursery.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
attractingverbUS /əˈtræktɪŋ/
-ing form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
bootynounUS /ˈbuːti/
goods or money obtained illegally
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
BRIDE-CAKE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
burglarnounUS /ˈbɝː.ɡlɚ/
A person who commits illegal entry into a building with intent to steal valuable treasures.
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At any moment some one might come running up to the nursery.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
the act of discovering something
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
at any time
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
set up or found
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
guiltilyadverb
in the manner of someone who has committed an offense
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
a female domestic
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
engage in
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading At any moment some one might come running up to the nursery.
a particular point in time
From this reading At any moment some one might come running up to the nursery.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
not any; not one
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading At any moment some one might come running up to the nursery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At any moment some one might come running up to the nursery.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
rehearsingverbUS /rɪˈhɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “rehearse” — engage in a rehearsal
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading At any moment some one might come running up to the nursery.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
SHILLINGnounUS /ˈʃɪlɪŋ/
the basic unit of money in Uganda; equal to 100 cents
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
move stealthily
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Three times she started out of her door, and each time the upstairs maid came through the hall and she drew back again.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
in the direction of
From this reading No amateur burglar, afraid of discovery, ever made a more stealthy approach towards his booty than she made towards the telephone.
unobservedadjective
not seen or observed
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At any moment some one might come running up to the nursery.
on a floor above
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When they reached the house it was some time before she could slip upstairs unobserved.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
at the time that
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE BRIDE-CAKE SHILLING COMES TO LIGHT All the way home she kept nervously rehearsing to herself the explanation which she intended to make, so absorbed in her thoughts, that she started guiltily when the girls laughed, and she found that Phil had asked her a question three times without attracting her attention.
