used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
banisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
boudoirnounUS /ˈbuːdɔɪr/
a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
chambermaidnoun
a maid who is employed to clean and care for bedrooms (now primarily in hotels)
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading “Oh, excuse!” she exclaimed in confusion, her pretty color mounting.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading “Oh, excuse!” she exclaimed in confusion, her pretty color mounting.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
cranedverbUS /kreɪnd/
past form of “crane” — stretch (the neck) so as to see better
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Her limited knowledge of English prevented her understanding much of what she overheard.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Oh, excuse!” she exclaimed in confusion, her pretty color mounting.
accept an excuse for
From this reading “Oh, excuse!” she exclaimed in confusion, her pretty color mounting.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
the act of departing
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
Gretchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
INITIALnounUS /ˌɪˈnɪʃəl/
the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Her limited knowledge of English prevented her understanding much of what she overheard.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading Her limited knowledge of English prevented her understanding much of what she overheard.
Meredith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
mountingnounUS /ˈmaʊntɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading “Oh, excuse!” she exclaimed in confusion, her pretty color mounting.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Her limited knowledge of English prevented her understanding much of what she overheard.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her limited knowledge of English prevented her understanding much of what she overheard.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “Oh, excuse!” she exclaimed in confusion, her pretty color mounting.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading Her limited knowledge of English prevented her understanding much of what she overheard.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading “Oh, excuse!” she exclaimed in confusion, her pretty color mounting.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Her limited knowledge of English prevented her understanding much of what she overheard.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
rubbedverbUS /rʌbd/
inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her limited knowledge of English prevented her understanding much of what she overheard.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
speakersnounUS /ˈspiːkərz/
plural of “speaker” — someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
make square
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
Susanne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading Her limited knowledge of English prevented her understanding much of what she overheard.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The voices grew more indistinct as the speakers moved away, and finally ceased entirely.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE SOLITARY INITIAL Gretchen, the chambermaid, craned her neck over the banisters in her endeavor to find out what was going on in the large square reception hall on the floor below.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Gretchen straightened up and rubbed her stiff muscles, then with a backward glance down the corridor toward Mrs. Meredith’s boudoir door, she turned to her right and ran into Susanne.
