used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I peered through the darkness but could discern nothing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
intentionally conceived
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I peered through the darkness but could discern nothing.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
CURIOnounUS /ˈkjʊrioʊ/
something unusual -- perhaps worthy of collecting
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
customernounUS /ˈkʌstəmər/
someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading I peered through the darkness but could discern nothing.
dazedlyadverb
in a daze; in a dazed manner
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
discernverbUS /dɪˈsɜːrn/
detect with the senses
From this reading I peered through the darkness but could discern nothing.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
a particular point in time
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
not any; not one
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I peered through the darkness but could discern nothing.
noticingverbUS /ˈnoʊtɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “notice” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading I peered through the darkness but could discern nothing.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
radium-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
rough-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
do one's shopping
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
stealthilyadverb
in a stealthy manner
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
switchedverbUS /swɪtʃt/
past form of “switch” — change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading I peered through the darkness but could discern nothing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
a message informing of danger
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CURIO SHOP I sat up and passed my hand dazedly across my brow and then suddenly I was broad awake and listening intently to the sound that had startled me, the sound of my door opening stealthily.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
look attentively
From this reading I waited a moment, but hearing no further sound reached under my pillow for my revolver, for I knew I wasn't dreaming now, noticing by my radium-faced watch that it was close to midnight.
which person or people
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Then as I became conscious of another presence in the room, the light was switched on without warning, and I flung out my arm, covering the man who stood there before me.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading He was a rough-looking customer in an ugly, worn blue suit, and his cap was pulled low over his brow.
