used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "Are you afraid of being robbed?" she asked.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are you afraid of being robbed?" she asked.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Are you afraid of being robbed?" she asked.
ASKSverbUS /æsks/
third-person singular of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
batchnounUS /bætʃ/
all the loaves of bread baked at the same time
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "Are you afraid of being robbed?" she asked.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
a small house with a single story
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
placed crosswise
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
curvedadjectiveUS /kɜːrvd/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
command with authority
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
Falcon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
firsnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
set up or found
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
Geoffrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
Geoffrey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
a particular point in time
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
moorverbUS /mʊr/
secure in or as if in a berth or dock
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
NestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
being perceived or observed
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
the act of departing politely
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
a course of conduct
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
robbedverbUS /rɑːbd/
inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading "Are you afraid of being robbed?" she asked.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
term of address for a man
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
spurnounUS /spɜːr/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
THURWELL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HELEN THURWELL ASKS A DIRECT QUESTION At the summit of the little spur of cliff they paused.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
in or at the place that
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Close on one side were the windows of Falcon's Nest, and on the other the batch of black firs which formed the background to it ran down the steep cliff side to the sea.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As they stood together for a moment before parting, she noticed, with a sudden cold dismay, that thick shutters had recently been fitted to the windows of the little room into which she had stolen on the day of Sir Geoffrey's murder.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The path which they were following curved round the cottage, and crossed the moor within a few yards of the spot where Sir Geoffrey had been found.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Are you afraid of being robbed?" she asked.
