used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
admissionnounUS /ædˈmɪʃən/
the act of admitting someone to enter
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
ascendverbUS /əˈsend/
travel up
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
Chester's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
recognizable; marked
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
immediately past
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
engage in
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
not any; not one
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
come into possession of
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
Osgood's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
PipernounUS /ˈpaɪpər/
someone who plays the bagpipe
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
the act of searching for something
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
SleuthnounUS /sluːθ/
a detective who follows a trail
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
SPORTSnounUS /spɔːrts/
plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading YOUNG SPORTS.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading After shivering for more than half an hour beneath a tree across the street from Mrs. Chester’s home, Sleuth Piper finally decided to make a move.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
widow'snounUS /ˈwɪdoʊz/
possessive form of “widow” — a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading Since seeking the hiding shelter of that tree he had seen four boys ascend the widow’s steps, ring the bell and obtain admission.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading There was a light in Osgood’s room on the second floor, but the shades were closely drawn at the windows.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It was now some time since the last one had disappeared within the house, and Piper believed no more were to follow.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading YOUNG SPORTS.
