used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
ascertainverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪn/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
on or to one side
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
balconynounUS /ˈbælkəni/
an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
boldlyadverbUS /ˈboʊldli/
with boldness, in a bold manner
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading THE CLOSED BOX.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading THE CLOSED BOX.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
not accessible to view
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
finger-prints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
only a very short time before
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
the lack of knowledge or education
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
and nothing more
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
lisle-thread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
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 Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
and nothing more
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
scaledadjectiveUS /skeɪld/
having the body covered or partially covered with thin horny plates, as some fish and reptiles
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
silveryadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlvəri/
resembling or reminiscent of silver
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CLOSED BOX.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
(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 Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He drew aside the curtain slightly to ascertain if Jean were there awaiting him, and, seeing her, he entered boldly.
at the time that
From this reading Hardly had the sound of the silvery bells died away when a second figure scaled the balcony, and, seeing the light over the top of the curtain, as arranged, he placed his hand upon the long glass door and slowly opened it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Husband and wife faced each other, in ignorance that an intruder stood concealed behind that curtain within two or three feet of them.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Ralph was dressed just as he had been in the morning, only he wore yellow lisle-thread gloves, so as to conceal his finger-prints, which, alas! were too well known to the police.
