used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His pallid, thin face was set in an aspect of grieved wonder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading His pallid, thin face was set in an aspect of grieved wonder.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His pallid, thin face was set in an aspect of grieved wonder.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
Frederik
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
grievedverbUS /ɡriːvd/
past form of “grieve” — feel grief
From this reading His pallid, thin face was set in an aspect of grieved wonder.
GrimmnounUS /ɡrɪm/
the younger of the two Grimm brothers remembered best for their fairy stories (1786-1859)
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
set down according to a plan
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
onlookernounUS /ˈɔːnlʊkər/
someone who looks on
From this reading Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
From this reading His pallid, thin face was set in an aspect of grieved wonder.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
RELAXESverbUS /rɪˈlæksɪz/
third-person singular of “relax” — become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading His pallid, thin face was set in an aspect of grieved wonder.
sheafnounUS /ʃiːf/
a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
sunlitadjectiveUS /ˈsʌnlɪt/
lighted by sunlight
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He paused at his desk and laid his hand on a sheaf of papers piled there.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading His pallid, thin face was set in an aspect of grieved wonder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
hard to endure
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading THE HAND RELAXES Peter Grimm walked slowly back into the room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His pallid, thin face was set in an aspect of grieved wonder.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He looked about the big sunlit apartment almost as if he were trying to stamp the image of each of its familiar, pleasant features upon his memory.
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 Frederik, in the window seat, had been a silent onlooker to the strange scene.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading His pallid, thin face was set in an aspect of grieved wonder.
