used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
anew
From this reading HE fourth night he was there again.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading It seemed strange that they alone should be in ignorance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It seemed strange that they alone should be in ignorance.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The grandfather clock did his best to tell them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading The grandfather clock did his best to tell them.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The grandfather clock did his best to tell them.
every person
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
apart from; not including
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading HE fourth night he was there again.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading The grandfather clock did his best to tell them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HE fourth night he was there again.
not accessible to view
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The grandfather clock did his best to tell them.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
the lack of knowledge or education
From this reading It seemed strange that they alone should be in ignorance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed strange that they alone should be in ignorance.
kettlenounUS /ˈketəl/
a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading HE fourth night he was there again.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
one-armedadjective
having one arm
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
express in words
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed strange that they alone should be in ignorance.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It seemed strange that they alone should be in ignorance.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It seemed strange that they alone should be in ignorance.
express in words
From this reading The grandfather clock did his best to tell them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The grandfather clock did his best to tell them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading HE fourth night he was there again.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed strange that they alone should be in ignorance.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
topmostadjective
at or nearest to the top
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HE fourth night he was there again.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading By this time everything in the house, from the kettle in the kitchen to the carpet on the topmost landing, was aware that a one-armed man was hidden beneath the trees across the road, watching.
which person or people
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole house was on the alert, listening and waiting--everybody, that is to say, except the people most concerned, who inhabited us.
