used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading One could not imagine any of that terrible family running up the stairs lightly or laughing.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
Curzon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
exchangingverbUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “exchange” — give to, and receive from, one another
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading He heard taxi horns, the faint rumble of wheels, voices.
a social unit living together
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He heard taxi horns, the faint rumble of wheels, voices.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading He heard taxi horns, the faint rumble of wheels, voices.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading One could not imagine any of that terrible family running up the stairs lightly or laughing.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading One could not imagine any of that terrible family running up the stairs lightly or laughing.
without good reason
From this reading One could not imagine any of that terrible family running up the stairs lightly or laughing.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading One could not imagine any of that terrible family running up the stairs lightly or laughing.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One could not imagine any of that terrible family running up the stairs lightly or laughing.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading One could not imagine any of that terrible family running up the stairs lightly or laughing.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
rumbleverbUS /ˈrʌmbəl/
make a low noise
From this reading He heard taxi horns, the faint rumble of wheels, voices.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
a person, without saying who
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
taxiverbUS /ˈtæksi/
travel slowly
From this reading He heard taxi horns, the faint rumble of wheels, voices.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading One could not imagine any of that terrible family running up the stairs lightly or laughing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One could not imagine any of that terrible family running up the stairs lightly or laughing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading He heard taxi horns, the faint rumble of wheels, voices.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Here he took his seat, and waited the coming of the Family, amusing himself as best he could by looking round at the furniture and pictures, and listening to the sounds of the house and the street outside.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FAMILY COUNCIL He arrived at Curzon Street at fifteen minutes after nine next morning, and was shown up to the drawing-room by the butler.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading He heard taxi horns, the faint rumble of wheels, voices.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Now he heard someone running up the stairs outside, a servant probably, for the sound suddenly ceased and was followed by a laugh as though two servants had met on the stairs and were exchanging words.
