used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
anew
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
on or to one side
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
billiard-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
coolingnounUS /ˈkuːlɪŋ/
the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
corridornounUS /ˈkɔːrədər/
an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
cracksnounUS /kræks/
plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
apart from; not including
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
garretnounUS /ˈɡerɪt/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
gratesnounUS /ɡreɪts/
plural of “grate” — a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading She went next to the head of the great stair, and once more stood and listened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading She went next to the head of the great stair, and once more stood and listened.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
set down according to a plan
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
most important element
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
a particular point in time
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She went next to the head of the great stair, and once more stood and listened.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading She went next to the head of the great stair, and once more stood and listened.
not any; not one
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
on one occasion
From this reading She went next to the head of the great stair, and once more stood and listened.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
regnantadjective
exercising power or authority
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
cut with a saw
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
smoking-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
with low volume
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading She went next to the head of the great stair, and once more stood and listened.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading In the regnant silence she rose, laid aside her book, softly opened the door, and stepped as softly into the narrow passage.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She went next to the head of the great stair, and once more stood and listened.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
tickingnounUS /ˈtɪkɪŋ/
a metallic tapping sound
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
tinklingadjectiveUS /ˈtɪŋkəlɪŋ/
like the short high ringing sound of a small bell
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
tiptoeverbUS /ˈtɪptoʊ/
walk on one's toes
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A moment or two she listened, then stole on tiptoe to the main corridor, and again listened.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She read until every sound had died in the house, every sound from garret to cellar, except the ticking of clock, and the tinkling cracks of sinking fires and cooling grates.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went next to the head of the great stair, and once more stood and listened.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then she crept down to the drawing-room, saw that there was no light in the library, billiard-room, or smoking-room, and with stealthy feet returned to the nursery.
