used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
anew
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
aisy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
butler'snounUS /ˈbʌtlərz/
possessive form of “butler” — a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading “No, sor, Misther Ogden is not home,” the butler’s loud voice reached Ogden.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
door-bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading “No, sor, Misther Ogden is not home,” the butler’s loud voice reached Ogden.
imperativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈperətɪv/
requiring attention or action
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
impertinentadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrtənənt/
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “No, sor, Misther Ogden is not home,” the butler’s loud voice reached Ogden.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
a room where books are kept
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
Maru
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
Misther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No, sor, Misther Ogden is not home,” the butler’s loud voice reached Ogden.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
mutterverbUS /ˈmʌtər/
talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
not any; not one
From this reading “No, sor, Misther Ogden is not home,” the butler’s loud voice reached Ogden.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “No, sor, Misther Ogden is not home,” the butler’s loud voice reached Ogden.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
OgdennounUS /ˈɑːɡdən/
English psychologist who collaborated with I. A. Richards in designing Basic English (1889-1957)
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
Ogden'snounUS /ˈɑːɡdənz/
possessive form of “ogden” — English psychologist who collaborated with I. A. Richards in designing Basic English (1889-1957)
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
pealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
portières
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
with low volume
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
sor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No, sor, Misther Ogden is not home,” the butler’s loud voice reached Ogden.
having a supporting base
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “Sure, be aisy,” Ogden heard him mutter, as the bell pealed again.
Takasaki
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
tip-toed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
vestibulenounUS /ˈvestɪbjuːl/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
someone who visits
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “No, sor, Misther Ogden is not home,” the butler’s loud voice reached Ogden.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR THE loud imperative ringing of the front door-bell reached Walter Ogden’s ears, and making a sign to Maru Takasaki commanding silence, he tip-toed softly across the library and listened behind the portières.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was some moments before Charles appeared, struggling into his coat.
well-dressedadjective
having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Reaching the front door the butler pulled it open with some force, but the sight of a tall well-dressed man standing in the vestibule checked his inclination to be impertinent.
