used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading A few minutes later he was following an attendant up the broad flight of carpeted stairs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
BLOOMSBURYnoun
a city district of central London laid out in garden squares
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
book-keeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading A few minutes later he was following an attendant up the broad flight of carpeted stairs.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
carpetedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːrpətɪd/
covered with or as if with carpeting or with carpeting as specified; often used in combination
From this reading A few minutes later he was following an attendant up the broad flight of carpeted stairs.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
traveling across
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
being one more than ten
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
enclosingnounUS /enˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of enclosing something inside something else
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading A few minutes later he was following an attendant up the broad flight of carpeted stairs.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading A few minutes later he was following an attendant up the broad flight of carpeted stairs.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A few minutes later he was following an attendant up the broad flight of carpeted stairs.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A few minutes later he was following an attendant up the broad flight of carpeted stairs.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
Povey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
with speed
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
requestedadjectiveUS /rɪˈkwestɪd/
asked for
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
RussellnounUS /ˈrʌsəl/
United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
scribbledverbUS /ˈskrɪbəld/
past form of “scribble” — write down quickly without much attention to detail
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
selectadjectiveUS /səˈlekt/
of superior grade
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
sleepy-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
sonorouslyadverb
in a sonorous manner
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
make square
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading A few minutes later he was following an attendant up the broad flight of carpeted stairs.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
tickingnounUS /ˈtɪkɪŋ/
a metallic tapping sound
From this reading It was then five minutes past ten by the clock which stood ticking sonorously in a corner of the landing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
vestibulenounUS /ˈvestɪbjuːl/
a large entrance or reception room or area
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading * * * * * At twenty minutes to eleven Edward Povey descended the stairs and, walking quickly through the vestibule, emerged into Russell Square.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few minutes later he was following an attendant up the broad flight of carpeted stairs.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
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 BLOOMSBURY Edward entered the little vestibule of the select Bloomsbury hotel, and crossing to the office window, behind which sat a sleepy-looking book-keeper, asked for an envelope.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Then taking a card from his pocket he scribbled a few words on it and enclosing it requested that it be taken up to Mrs. Povey.
