used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading "This is Mr. Douglas Hunter, attaché of the American Embassy at Tokio, Wyndham," explained the Secretary of State.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
attaché
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "This is Mr. Douglas Hunter, attaché of the American Embassy at Tokio, Wyndham," explained the Secretary of State.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
corridorsnounUS /ˈkɔːrɪdərz/
plural of “corridor” — an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
DouglasnounUS /ˈdʌɡləs/
United States politician who proposed that individual territories be allowed to decide whether they would have slavery; he engaged in a famous series of debates with Abraham Lincoln (1813-1861)
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
Eleanor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
elevatornounUS /ˈeləveɪtər/
lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
EmbassynounUS /ˈembəsi/
a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work
From this reading "This is Mr. Douglas Hunter, attaché of the American Embassy at Tokio, Wyndham," explained the Secretary of State.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "This is Mr. Douglas Hunter, attaché of the American Embassy at Tokio, Wyndham," explained the Secretary of State.
eyebrowsnounUS /ˈaɪbraʊz/
plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
fleetingadjectiveUS /ˈfliːtɪŋ/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
a quick look
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
someone who hunts game
From this reading "This is Mr. Douglas Hunter, attaché of the American Embassy at Tokio, Wyndham," explained the Secretary of State.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
liftsnounUS /lɪfts/
plural of “lift” — the act of giving temporary assistance
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "This is Mr. Douglas Hunter, attaché of the American Embassy at Tokio, Wyndham," explained the Secretary of State.
NavynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
on one occasion
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
opportuneadjectiveUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːn/
suitable or at a time that is suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
questioninglyadverb
in a curious and questioning manner
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
having a supporting base
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
THEFTnounUS /θeft/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "This is Mr. Douglas Hunter, attaché of the American Embassy at Tokio, Wyndham," explained the Secretary of State.
ThorntonnounUS /ˈθɔːrntən/
American architect (1759-1828)
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
TokionounUS /toʊˈkiːoʊ/
the capital and largest city of Japan; the economic and cultural center of Japan
From this reading "This is Mr. Douglas Hunter, attaché of the American Embassy at Tokio, Wyndham," explained the Secretary of State.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading THE THEFT The Secretary of State and Douglas hastened through the wide corridors of the immense State, War, and Navy Building.
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading As they passed an elevator shaft in the navy wing, Douglas caught a fleeting glimpse of Eleanor Thornton in one of the lifts as it shot downward toward the ground floor.
Wyndham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
Wyndham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On their arrival they were ushered at once into Secretary Wyndham's private office.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Glad to see you," exclaimed Wyndham, "your call is most opportune"--he stopped on seeing Douglas standing behind the Secretary of State, and his eyebrows went up questioningly.
