used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
anew
From this reading Now again!
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
COUNT'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
HOSPITALITYnounUS /ˌhɑːspəˈtæləti/
kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
in motion
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now again!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
recessverbUS /rɪˈses/
put into a recess
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
having a supporting base
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
uncertaintynounUS /ənˈsɜːrtənti/
being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
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 COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
wardrobenounUS /ˈwɔːrdroʊb/
a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE COUNT'S HOSPITALITY I have said that my position was in a recess formed between the wall and the side of the wardrobe.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
which person or people
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading To determine exactly whence it proceeded puzzled me; any one who has listened for a sound in intense darkness will understand my uncertainty.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Standing here, I suddenly became aware of a slight sound quite close to me, so slight that had I not been listening intently in that perfect stillness my ear would not have detected it.
but in spite of that
From this reading Something was moving--almost at my elbow, it seemed; yet nothing that I could see or touch.
