used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
adjustingverbUS /əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjust” — alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
boudoirnounUS /ˈbuːdɔɪr/
a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
bouquetnounUS /buːˈkeɪ/
an arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
BurnhamnounUS /ˈbɜːrnəm/
United States architect who designed the first important skyscraper with a skeleton (1846-1912)
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
travel across or pass over
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
curlverbUS /kɜːrl/
form a curl, curve, or kink
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
dartverbUS /dɑːrt/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
DEVELOPMENTSnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənts/
plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
the act of departing
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
indecisionnounUS /ˌɪndɪˈsɪʒən/
doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
a brief written record
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
orchidsnounUS /ˈɔːrkədz/
plural of “orchid” — any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
pinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
cut with a saw
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
SCURRYINGadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
slamverbUS /slæm/
close violently
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
having a supporting base
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
step-father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
in a swift manner
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
thereonadverbUS /ðeˈrɔːn/
on that
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
tri-cornered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Evelyn, busily engaged in adjusting a stray curl under her smart tri-cornered hat, failed to observe her step-father standing well back in the shadow of his doorway.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
unwrappingverbUS /ənˈræpɪŋ/
inflected form of “unwrap” — remove the outer cover or wrapping of
From this reading DEVELOPMENTS SCURRYING footsteps caused Peter Burnham to stop unwrapping the bundle in his hand and dart to the door of his bedroom.
vantagenounUS /ˈvæntədʒ/
place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)
From this reading From that vantage point he saw Evelyn cross the hall and disappear down the staircase.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He took quick note of her well cut sport suit and the lovely bouquet of orchids pinned thereon.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Burnham waited in indecision until the slam of the front door reached him, then going back to his bureau he closed its drawers and went swiftly to his wife’s boudoir.
