used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Peter heard nothing and saw nothing.
any thing at all
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
BluntadjectiveUS /blʌnt/
having a broad or rounded end
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
burlyadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrli/
muscular and heavily built
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
lacking grace in movement or posture
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
ElianounUS /əˈlaɪə/
English essayist (1775-1834)
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
gaitnounUS /ɡeɪt/
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
the act of departing
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Peter heard nothing and saw nothing.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
temporary military shelter
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
laboriouslyadverbUS /ləˈbɔːriəsli/
in a laborious manner
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
a particular point in time
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Peter heard nothing and saw nothing.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
saloonnounUS /səˈluːn/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
cut with a saw
From this reading Peter heard nothing and saw nothing.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
having a supporting base
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading So it was that Elia, for it was he, laboriously followed him up until he saw the man's burly figure disappear into his hut.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His mind and heart were too full to care in the least for anything that was going on about him now.
in or at the place that
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
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 THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading THE TRUTH The moment Peter Blunt left the saloon, a lurking figure stole out from the shadow of one of the side walls, where it had been standing close under a window, listening to all that passed within the building.
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 It followed on a few yards behind the preoccupied man with a stealthy but clumsy gait.
