used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
BASCOME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
Bascome's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
bearernounUS /ˈberər/
someone whose employment involves carrying something
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
Bert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
compromiseverbUS /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪz/
make a compromise; arrive at a compromise
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
DENIESverbUS /dɪˈnaɪz/
third-person singular of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
hastyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪsti/
excessively quick
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
indicationnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
musedverbUS /mjuːzd/
past form of “muse” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
not any; not one
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
ParsonsnounUS /ˈpɑːrsənz/
United States sociologist (1902-1979)
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
portalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəl/
a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
Prexynoun
the head administrative officer of a college or university
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
querynounUS /ˈkwiːri/
an instance of questioning
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
scrambleverbUS /ˈskræmbəl/
to move hurriedly
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
sleep-simulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
to a small degree or extent
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
in the near future
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
tappedadjectiveUS /tæpt/
in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
in or at that place or location
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
male cat
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
vigorouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪɡərəsli/
with vigor; in a vigorous manner
From this reading BASCOME DENIES Tom Parsons knocked vigorously on the door of Bert Bascome's room.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading He waited several seconds, and then came the gentle and somewhat sleep-simulated query:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the character of his summons was any indication of his mind, the bearer of the letter was in no mood for compromise.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading As soon as he had tapped at the portal, there was audible within the apartment a hasty scramble.
Zane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Guess they must think it's Zane, or Prexy," mused Tom, grimly.
