adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading I said, groping helplessly among the memories of the past for a clew to the apparition.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
apparitionnounUS /ˌæpərˈɪʃən/
a ghostly appearing figure
From this reading I said, groping helplessly among the memories of the past for a clew to the apparition.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Somewhere and sometime I had seen it before; that much I knew and no more.
bugnounUS /bʌɡ/
general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
calmlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːmli/
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
clewnoun
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
From this reading I said, groping helplessly among the memories of the past for a clew to the apparition.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
elephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
giantnounUS /ˈdʒaɪənt/
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading I said, groping helplessly among the memories of the past for a clew to the apparition.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading I said, groping helplessly among the memories of the past for a clew to the apparition.
HOMEnounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The shape took a step into the room.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Somewhere and sometime I had seen it before; that much I knew and no more.
jambnounUS /dʒæm/
upright consisting of a vertical side member of a door or window frame
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Somewhere and sometime I had seen it before; that much I knew and no more.
knockedverbUS /nɑːkt/
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
legsnounUS /leɡz/
staying power
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
man-person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading I said, groping helplessly among the memories of the past for a clew to the apparition.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
MOTHERnounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
ordinarynounUS /ˈɔːrdəneri/
a judge of a probate court
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading I said, groping helplessly among the memories of the past for a clew to the apparition.
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
rapnounUS /ræp/
a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The shape took a step into the room.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I said, groping helplessly among the memories of the past for a clew to the apparition.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Somewhere and sometime I had seen it before; that much I knew and no more.
shapenounUS /ʃeɪp/
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading The shape took a step into the room.
six-foot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
sometimeadverbUS /ˈsʌmtaɪm/
at some indefinite or unstated time
From this reading Somewhere and sometime I had seen it before; that much I knew and no more.
SomewhereadverbUS /ˈsʌmwer/
in or at or to some place
From this reading Somewhere and sometime I had seen it before; that much I knew and no more.
soundedverbUS /ˈsaʊndɪd/
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
stuckadjectiveUS /stʌk/
caught or fixed
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
surveyingnounUS /sərˈveɪɪŋ/
the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The shape took a step into the room.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
WelladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well?"
WENTverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
WHENconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading WHEN I WENT HOME TO MOTHER There was a heavy step on the stairs, a rap that sounded much as if an elephant had knocked against the jamb in passing, and there in the door stood a six-foot giant, calmly surveying me, as if I were a specimen bug stuck on a pin for inspection, instead of an ordinary man-person with no more than two legs.
