used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
bedsteadnoun
the framework of a bed
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By this means they had practically locked the door.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
claspverbUS /klæsp/
hold firmly and tightly
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
true confidential information
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
divisible by two
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
made afraid
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
the act of departing
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By this means they had practically locked the door.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
intrusionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːʒən/
any entry into an area not previously occupied
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading By this means they had practically locked the door.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading By this means they had practically locked the door.
a particular point in time
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
and nothing more
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
paralyzedadjectiveUS /ˈperəlaɪzd/
affected with paralysis
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading By this means they had practically locked the door.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
for a short time
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
be seated
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
SLUMSnounUS /slʌmz/
plural of “slum” — a district of a city marked by poverty and inferior living conditions
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
a person, without saying who
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
express in speech
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
tappedadjectiveUS /tæpt/
in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
terrorsnounUS /ˈterərz/
plural of “terror” — an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They moved the chest of drawers against the door, and then they moved the bedstead.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading By this means they had practically locked the door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A NIGHT IN THE SLUMS The two girls carried out their plan in all its details.
precisely as stated
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were very thankful for this later on, for as night advanced and the people came home, and the house became full, their terrors increased.
at the time that
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were now so frightened that they did not dare to speak even to each other about their fears; and when, shortly after they had secured themselves against intrusion, someone first tapped at the door and then turned the handle and pushed, and then after a moment of silence steps were heard going away, they could only clasp each other's hands and sit close together, almost paralyzed with terror.
