adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
bentnounUS /bent/
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of burning something
From this reading Not once were the burning eyes removed from the lighted windows across the way.
car-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
chinnounUS /tʃɪn/
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
Christine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
clenchedadjectiveUS /klentʃt/
closed or squeezed together tightly
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
concertnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərt/
a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
DavidnounUS /ˈdeɪvɪd/
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
desertedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
DOOR-STEPS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
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 At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Not once were the burning eyes removed from the lighted windows across the way.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
gargoylenounUS /ˈɡɑːrɡɔɪl/
a spout that terminates in a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
gloweredverbUS /ˈɡlaʊərd/
past form of “glower” — look at with a fixed gaze
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
immovablenounUS /ˌɪˈmuːvəbəl/
property consisting of houses and land
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
imposingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
impressive in appearance
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
Joey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
kneesnounUS /niːz/
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
lightedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəd/
set afire or burning
From this reading Not once were the burning eyes removed from the lighted windows across the way.
LikeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
malevolentadjectiveUS /məˈlevələnt/
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
motionlessadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊʃənləs/
not in physical motion
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not once were the burning eyes removed from the lighted windows across the way.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Not once were the burning eyes removed from the lighted windows across the way.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
pairnounUS /per/
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
Portman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
reachingnounUS /ˈriːtʃɪŋ/
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
removedadjectiveUS /riˈmuːvd/
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading Not once were the burning eyes removed from the lighted windows across the way.
restedadjectiveUS /ˈrestəd/
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
retiredadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrd/
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
shroudedverbUS /ˈʃraʊdɪd/
past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
stonenounUS /stoʊn/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
supportingadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
furnishing support and encouragement
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This desolate, forbidding figure had been there for an hour or more--ever since Christine's return from the concert.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Like a malevolent gargoyle it glowered out upon the deserted street; a tense, immovable chin rested in a pair of clenched hands, knees supporting the elbows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Not once were the burning eyes removed from the lighted windows across the way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not once were the burning eyes removed from the lighted windows across the way.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the top of a flight of stone steps leading to the doors of an imposing mansion across the street from the Portman home a motionless figure sat, as bleak as the shadows in which it was shrouded.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Not once were the burning eyes removed from the lighted windows across the way.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading DOOR-STEPS David hurried off toward the car-line, bent on reaching Joey's home before that worthy retired for the night.
