Chapter XIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Another inch she pushed the door open, another--and then another.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Another inch she pushed the door open, another--and then another.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading And then quickly, silently, she tip-toed over the threshold and closed the door softly behind her.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading And then quickly, silently, she tip-toed over the threshold and closed the door softly behind her.

lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner

From this reading She smiled coldly.

with complaints

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

-ing form of “connect” — connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Another inch she pushed the door open, another--and then another.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

a gruff or angry utterance (suggestive of the growling of an animal)

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

an established custom

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading And then quickly, silently, she tip-toed over the threshold and closed the door softly behind her.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading Another inch she pushed the door open, another--and then another.

located inward

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

indistinct enunciation

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Another inch she pushed the door open, another--and then another.

above and across; more than

From this reading And then quickly, silently, she tip-toed over the threshold and closed the door softly behind her.

easily irritated or annoyed

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading Another inch she pushed the door open, another--and then another.

with speed

From this reading And then quickly, silently, she tip-toed over the threshold and closed the door softly behind her.

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Another inch she pushed the door open, another--and then another.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

without speaking

From this reading And then quickly, silently, she tip-toed over the threshold and closed the door softly behind her.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading She smiled coldly.

with low volume

From this reading And then quickly, silently, she tip-toed over the threshold and closed the door softly behind her.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Another inch she pushed the door open, another--and then another.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Another inch she pushed the door open, another--and then another.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

the starting point for a new state or experience

From this reading And then quickly, silently, she tip-toed over the threshold and closed the door softly behind her.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then quickly, silently, she tip-toed over the threshold and closed the door softly behind her.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was very like Nicky Viner--it was a habit of his to talk to himself, she remembered.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

-ing form of “whine” — move with a whining sound

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The light came from the inner room and shone through the connecting door, which was open, and there was movement from within, and a low, growling voice, petulant, whining, as though an old man were mumbling complainingly to himself.