used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
candle-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
COLLECTINGnounUS /kəˈlektɪŋ/
the act of gathering something together
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
placed crosswise
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
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 Sybert was lounging in the doorway leading on to the loggia.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
hesitatingadjectiveUS /ˈhezəteɪtɪŋ/
lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sybert was lounging in the doorway leading on to the loggia.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Sybert was lounging in the doorway leading on to the loggia.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
loggianounUS /ˈlɑːɡiə/
a roofed arcade or gallery with open sides stretching along the front or side of a building; often at an upper level
From this reading Sybert was lounging in the doorway leading on to the loggia.
loungingverbUS /ˈlaʊndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably
From this reading Sybert was lounging in the doorway leading on to the loggia.
Marcia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
a particular point in time
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
with low volume
From this reading She leaned over the balustrade and called to him softly so as not to attract the attention of the others.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
strollnounUS /stroʊl/
a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
Sybert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sybert was lounging in the doorway leading on to the loggia.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But at the foot of the stairs, as he caught sight of her face in the dim candle-light, he came springing up three steps at a time.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sybert was lounging in the doorway leading on to the loggia.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading COLLECTING herself sufficiently to know that she must not cry out or alarm her aunt, Marcia hurried to the front staircase and stood a moment on the landing, hesitating what to do.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He turned with a start at the sound of his name, and in response to her summons crossed the hall in his usual leisurely stroll.
