adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “Grimes found it just after father had a new key made and gave it to me.
agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/
in the past
From this reading “It is certainly the key which father mislaid six months ago,” she declared.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
AnyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
attentivelyadverbUS /əˈtentɪvli/
with attention; in an attentive manner
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
certainlyadverbUS /ˈsɜːrtənli/
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “It is certainly the key which father mislaid six months ago,” she declared.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
combinationnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/
a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
cross-logged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
declaredadjectiveUS /dɪˈklerd/
made known or openly avowed
From this reading “It is certainly the key which father mislaid six months ago,” she declared.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
doorsnounUS /dɔːrz/
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “It is certainly the key which father mislaid six months ago,” she declared.
fifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading “Grimes found it just after father had a new key made and gave it to me.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “Grimes found it just after father had a new key made and gave it to me.
GrimesnounUS /ɡraɪmz/
plural of “grime” — the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading “Grimes found it just after father had a new key made and gave it to me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Grimes found it just after father had a new key made and gave it to me.
HelennounUS /ˈhelən/
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
InsteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is certainly the key which father mislaid six months ago,” she declared.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading “Grimes found it just after father had a new key made and gave it to me.
keynounUS /kiː/
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
librarynounUS /ˈlaɪbreriː/
a room where books are kept
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
lockverbUS /lɑːk/
fasten with a lock
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
lucknounUS /lʌk/
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
McIntyre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Grimes found it just after father had a new key made and gave it to me.
meansnounUS /miːnz/
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
mislaidadjectiveUS /mɪˈsleɪd/
lost temporarily; as especially put in an unaccustomed or forgotten place
From this reading “It is certainly the key which father mislaid six months ago,” she declared.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading “It is certainly the key which father mislaid six months ago,” she declared.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading “Grimes found it just after father had a new key made and gave it to me.
obsoleteadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbsəliːt/
no longer in use
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
openingnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
portieres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
regardedverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
removedadjectiveUS /riˈmuːvd/
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
replyingverbUS /rɪˈplaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
safeadjectiveUS /seɪf/
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
sevennounUS /ˈsevən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading “It is certainly the key which father mislaid six months ago,” she declared.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
steelnounUS /stiːl/
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading “Any luck?” she asked Instead of replying Helen removed the key from the lock of the steel door and regarded it attentively.
testingnounUS /ˈtestɪŋ/
the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
uniqueadjectiveUS /juːˈniːk/
radically distinctive and without equal
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The safe was of an obsolete pattern and in place of the customary combination lock, was opened by means of a key, unique in appearance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “It is certainly the key which father mislaid six months ago,” she declared.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Barbara McIntyre made the round of the library for the fifth time, testing each of the seven doors opening into it to see that they were closed behind their portieres, then she turned back to her sister, who sat cross-logged before a small safe.
