used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
alcovenounUS /ˈælkoʊv/
a small recess opening off a larger room
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
in a state of sleep
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
CastingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
cautiousadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːʃəs/
showing careful forethought
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrt.jɑːrd/
An unroofed area that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a house.
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
approval
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
and nothing more
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
Matiah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
not any; not one
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
puffingnounUS /ˈpʌfɪŋ/
blowing tobacco smoke out into the air
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
with speed
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
Skamperoo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
slidenounUS /slaɪd/
a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
with low volume
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
tickedverbUS /tɪkt/
past form of “tick” — make a clicking or ticking sound
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Casting a cautious look at the quiet merchant, he began to slide rapidly toward the door.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
unenterprisingadjective
lacking in enterprise; not bold or venturesome
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In fact, no more than five minutes had been ticked away by the old-fashioned clock, in the corner before Skamperoo straightened up as if suddenly struck by lightning.
under normal conditions
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
precisely as stated
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The King and His Talking Horse Now it is true that the King had closed his eyes as Matiah settled himself in the alcove to read, but he was very far from asleep.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
a Caucasian
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
WishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Though usually unenterprising and dull, we must credit Skamperoo with one brilliant idea.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Opening it without a sound, he slipped out into the corridor and, closing it just as softly, went puffing away to the quarters of the White Wishing Horse at the back of the courtyard.
