used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
anew
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
attentivelyadverbUS /əˈtentɪvli/
with attention; in an attentive manner
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
Burnham'snounUS /ˈbɜːrnəmz/
possessive form of “burnham” — United States architect who designed the first important skyscraper with a skeleton (1846-1912)
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
CAMOUFLAGEverbUS /ˈkæməflɑːʒ/
disguise by camouflaging; exploit the natural surroundings to disguise something
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
canceledverbUS /ˈkænsəld/
past form of “cancel” — postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
checksnounUS /tʃeks/
plural of “check” — a written order directing a bank to pay money
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
CORONERnounUS /ˈkɔːrənər/
a public official who investigates by inquest any death not due to natural causes
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
placed crosswise
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
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 Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
drawersnounUS /drɔːrz/
underpants worn by men
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
filedverbUS /faɪld/
past form of “file” — record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
gnawingverbUS /ˈnɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
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 With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
a room where books are kept
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
microscopicadjectiveUS /ˌmaɪkrəˈskɑːpɪk/
of or relating to or used in microscopy
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
in motion
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
noiselessadjective
making no sound
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
and nothing more
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
PENFIELD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
portières
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
ransackingnounUS /ˈrænsækɪŋ/
a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or confusion)
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
not used up
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
restored to a new condition
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
rewardedverbUS /rɪˈwɔːrdɪd/
past form of “reward” — bestow honor or rewards upon
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
rustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/
make a dry crackling sound
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading After remaining behind the portières for fully five minutes, he again crossed the library and sat down before the desk and renewed his occupation of ransacking the drawers.
screenedverbUS /skriːnd/
past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
move hurridly
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
swornadjectiveUS /swɔːrn/
bound by or as if by an oath
From this reading He could have sworn he had heard a faint rustle of skirts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CAMOUFLAGE CORONER PENFIELD paused in his microscopic examination of the polished surface of Burnham’s desk and laying down his instrument, listened attentively.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
underlipnoun
the lower lip
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
unlockedadjectiveUS /ənˈlɑːkt/
not firmly fastened or secured
From this reading With the aid of a skeleton key he unlocked first one and then another, but only neat rows of filed bills and canceled checks rewarded his search and he sat back finally, gnawing his underlip.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Moving with noiseless speed over to the doorway he peered into the hall, himself screened from view by the portières, but the hall was empty.
