adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
anteroomnoun
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
astonishmentnounUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃmənt/
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
BACKadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading "I distinctly thought I heard something like the snap of a lock, or a bolt or something.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
causedverbUS /kɑːzd/
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
Didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Didn't you?"
disappearedverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd/
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
distinctlyadverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋktli/
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading "I distinctly thought I heard something like the snap of a lock, or a bolt or something.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
evidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I distinctly thought I heard something like the snap of a lock, or a bolt or something.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
instantlyadverbUS /ˈɪnstəntli/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
keynounUS /kiː/
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
Killenhall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
Killenhall's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "I distinctly thought I heard something like the snap of a lock, or a bolt or something.
lockverbUS /lɑːk/
fasten with a lock
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
MissverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
oddadjectiveUS /ɑːd/
not divisible by two
From this reading "That's odd!" he said, turning to Miss Wickham.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
readilyadverbUS /ˈredəli/
without much difficulty
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
retirementnounUS /riˈtaɪərmənt/
the state of being retired from one's business or occupation
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "That's odd!" he said, turning to Miss Wickham.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading "I distinctly thought I heard something like the snap of a lock, or a bolt or something.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "I distinctly thought I heard something like the snap of a lock, or a bolt or something.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
steppedverbUS /stept/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/
successive (without a break)
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's odd!" he said, turning to Miss Wickham.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "I distinctly thought I heard something like the snap of a lock, or a bolt or something.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
turningnounUS /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
Viner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading To his astonishment it opened readily, but the anteroom outside was empty; Mrs. Killenhall had evidently walked straight through it and disappeared.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
WAYnounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
Wickham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BACK WAY Viner was so sure that the sound which he had heard on Mrs. Killenhall's retirement was that caused by the turning of a key or slipping of a lock in the door by which he had entered, that before speaking to Miss Wickham he instantly stepped back and tried it.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Didn't you?"
