used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
aguenounUS /ˈeɪɡjuː/
a fit of shivering or shaking
From this reading It was Harry—white-faced, and shaking as though with an ague.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was Harry—white-faced, and shaking as though with an ague.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was Harry—white-faced, and shaking as though with an ague.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
Chater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He, too, gazed in the direction in which Philip’s eyes were turned, and spoke in a frightened whisper.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
made afraid
From this reading He, too, gazed in the direction in which Philip’s eyes were turned, and spoke in a frightened whisper.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He, too, gazed in the direction in which Philip’s eyes were turned, and spoke in a frightened whisper.
a young female
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading It was Harry—white-faced, and shaking as though with an ague.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
set down according to a plan
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
night-bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
and nothing more
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
Philip'snounUS /ˈfɪləps/
possessive form of “philip” — Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading He, too, gazed in the direction in which Philip’s eyes were turned, and spoke in a frightened whisper.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
rustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/
make a dry crackling sound
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading It was Harry—white-faced, and shaking as though with an ague.
shriekedadjectiveUS /ʃriːkt/
uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
SHYLOCKnounUS /ˈʃaɪlɑːk/
someone who lends money at excessive rates of interest
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
with low volume
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He, too, gazed in the direction in which Philip’s eyes were turned, and spoke in a frightened whisper.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
not in physical motion
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
SUMMONSnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was Harry—white-faced, and shaking as though with an ague.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He, too, gazed in the direction in which Philip’s eyes were turned, and spoke in a frightened whisper.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He, too, gazed in the direction in which Philip’s eyes were turned, and spoke in a frightened whisper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He, too, gazed in the direction in which Philip’s eyes were turned, and spoke in a frightened whisper.
at the time that
From this reading So still was it all, that he almost shrieked aloud when a hand was laid softly on his arm.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A SUMMONS FROM SHYLOCK For quite a long time, Philip Chater stood, staring helplessly in the direction in which the girl had disappeared.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
white-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Harry—white-faced, and shaking as though with an ague.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was Harry—white-faced, and shaking as though with an ague.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading All around him was the silence of the wood, broken only by the call of some night-bird, or by the whisper and rustle of the branches, stirred by a rising wind.
