used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading "We are quite alone?" he inquired.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "We are quite alone?" he inquired.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Surely, surely he could not be contemplating an offer of marriage.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
contemplatingverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading Surely, surely he could not be contemplating an offer of marriage.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Surely, surely he could not be contemplating an offer of marriage.
Courteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "Solitary indeed," replied the lady.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "We are quite alone?" he inquired.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading "Solitary indeed," replied the lady.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
for more time
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Surely, surely he could not be contemplating an offer of marriage.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Surely, surely he could not be contemplating an offer of marriage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Surely, surely he could not be contemplating an offer of marriage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "We are quite alone?" he inquired.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Solitary indeed," replied the lady.
Sheba
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading "Solitary indeed," replied the lady.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Surely, surely he could not be contemplating an offer of marriage.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A dignified knock at the front door put an end to any longer hesitation, and Mrs. Courteen, like the Queen of Sheba, presented herself immediately.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We are quite alone?" he inquired.
widow'snounUS /ˈwɪdoʊz/
possessive form of “widow” — a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Great little Man was pacing the carpet of the front parlour, but at the widow's entrance he turned on his heels with a low bow.
