used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
arm'snounUS /ɑːrmz/
possessive form of “arm” — a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
blownadjectiveUS /bloʊn/
being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
boarding-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
confessionnounUS /kənˈfeʃən/
an admission of misdeeds or faults
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
Craighill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
promptedverbUS /ˈprɑːmptɪd/
past form of “prompt” — give an incentive for action
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
ulsternounUS /ˈʌlstər/
a historic division of Ireland located in the northeastern part of the island; six of Ulster's nine counties are in Northern Ireland
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
unbuttonedadjectiveUS /ənˈbʌtənd/
not buttoned
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
uncertainlyadverbUS /ənˈsɜːrtənli/
in an unsteady manner
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
WaynenounUS /weɪn/
United States film actor who played tough heroes (1907-1979)
From this reading CLOSED DOORS Wayne stood uncertainly on the boarding-house steps, glancing up and down the bleak, deserted street.
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
belonging to which person
From this reading Her sense of responsibility for one man’s life had prompted her confession in the ugly little parlour; but there stood another, whose need of her was not less great.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The night was cold and a keen wind whipped his unbuttoned ulster round him.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading She had sent Wayne Craighill away and she must always think of him as he stood there, outside the threshold of her life as it was to be, blown upon by winds of destiny.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman watching him through the blind, so near that he was within arm’s reach of her, felt the tragedy of this hour.
