used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Then sharply and frowning he arose.
on or to one side
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
cordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
frowningadjectiveUS /ˈfraʊnɪŋ/
showing displeasure or anger
From this reading Then sharply and frowning he arose.
fumbledverbUS /ˈfʌmbəld/
past form of “fumble” — feel about uncertainly or blindly
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
impatientlyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəntli/
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Who is it?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
a room where books are kept
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
reading-lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
sea-mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Then sharply and frowning he arose.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
young nobleman attendant on a knight
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
tappingnounUS /ˈtæpɪŋ/
the sound of light blow or knock
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then sharply and frowning he arose.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He reached the window and fumbled at the blind; but failing to find the cord dragged it impatiently aside and peered through the glass.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
precisely as stated
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
at the time that
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
which person or people
From this reading "Who is it?
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading OUT OF THE NIGHT It was very late that night, and the sea-mist had turned to a drifting rain when the squire sitting reading in his library at the Court was startled by a sudden tapping upon the window behind him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So unexpected was the sound in the absolute stillness that he started with some violence and nearly knocked over the reading-lamp at his elbow.
