Chapter III

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

disposed or placed in a particular kind of order

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading “The rest of ’em—in bed?”

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Braxfield was beginning to tremble.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

possessive form of “butler” — a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

a quad with a square body

From this reading “The rest of ’em—in bed?”

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

an informal term for a youth or man

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

showing curiosity

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

and nothing more

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

immediately past

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

most important element

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

many times at short intervals

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

a small storeroom for storing foods or wines

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

a human being

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading “The rest of ’em—in bed?”

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

cut a female screw thread with a tap

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways

From this reading Braxfield was beginning to tremble.

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading It shifted just as sharply to the old butler’s amazed and troubled face—and the question that followed on it was equally sharp.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

precisely as stated

From this reading In the old days, he had often let Guy Markenmore in, late at night, at that very door; the thrice-repeated tap was an arranged signal between them.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

which person or people

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading THE BUTLER’S PANTRY The man whom Braxfield thus addressed, and who, in spite of the well-remembered signal on the pantry window was the last person in the world he had thought of seeing, turned a sharp, inquisitive, suspicious glance down the narrow passage, which opened on the main corridor of the house.