used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
elected vice president and became 21st President of the United States when Garfield was assassinated (1830-1886)
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
believingnounUS /bɪˈliːvɪŋ/
the cognitive process that leads to convictions
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
a social unit living together
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
firsnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
set up or found
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
Jane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
LeonardnounUS /ˈlenərd/
United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
a particular point in time
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
the light of the Moon
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
nearedverbUS /nɪrd/
past form of “near” — move towards
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
not any; not one
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
obscureverbUS /əbsˈkjʊr/
make less visible or unclear
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
by chance
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
express in speech
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
having a supporting base
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
SWEARINGnounUS /ˈswerɪŋ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
up to a particular time
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
at the time that
From this reading Leonard walked on down the drive till he neared the gate, when suddenly he heard the muffled sound of feet pursuing him through the snow.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Outside snow was falling, though not fast enough to obscure the light of the moon which shone through the belt of firs.
which person or people
From this reading As it chanced, however, he found himself face to face not with Arthur, but with Jane herself, who perhaps had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment in the snow and the moonlight.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He turned with an exclamation, believing that the footsteps were those of Arthur Beach, for at the moment he was in no mood for further conversation with any male member of that family.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading THE SWEARING OF THE OATH Arthur Beach, Jane’s brother, was standing in the hall waiting to speak to Leonard, but he passed without a word, closing the hall door behind him.
