used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
the state of being absent
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
ALCOVEnounUS /ˈælkoʊv/
a small recess opening off a larger room
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in a moment I understood.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
CoopernounUS /ˈkuːpər/
United States industrialist who built the first American locomotive; founded Cooper Union in New York City to offer free courses in the arts and sciences (1791-1883)
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
delusionnounUS /dɪˈluːʒən/
(psychology) an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
horrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrəfaɪd/
stricken with horror
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
intensions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
immediately past
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
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 Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
a particular point in time
From this reading But in a moment I understood.
MorrisonnounUS /ˈmɔːrɪsən/
United States rock singer (1943-1971)
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
being perceived or observed
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
and nothing more
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
peepedverbUS /piːpt/
past form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
renderingnounUS /ˈrendərɪŋ/
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
Stodger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
a special situation
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Stodger, with the best of intensions and the least possible capacity for carrying them out, knelt helplessly beside her, under the delusion that he was rendering first aid.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading But in a moment I understood.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
the topmost one of two
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
in or at the place that
From this reading THE FACE IN THE ALCOVE The first thing I noticed as I sped up the stairs was the absence of Stodger from his post in the upper hall, where I had last seen him.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The bath room door stood wide open, and on the floor lay Miss Cooper--lifeless, was my first horrified thought.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Only a few minutes previously I had peeped into the lower hall to satisfy myself that everything was right; at that time he was leaning on the balustrade, engaged in a desultory conversation with Officer Morrison, stationed below.
