used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
ajaradjectiveUS /əˈdʒɑːr/
slightly open
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
batteredadjectiveUS /ˈbætərd/
damaged by blows or hard usage
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
blanketnounUS /ˈblæŋkət/
bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
candlesticknounUS /ˈkændəlstɪk/
a holder with sockets for candles
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
chestsnounUS /tʃests/
plural of “chest” — the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
closetnounUS /ˈklɑːzət/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
closetlike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
cobwebbyadjective
so thin as to transmit light
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
confidentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnfədəntli/
with confidence; in a confident manner
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
dark-grayadjective
of a dark shade of grey
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading IN DEADLY PERIL.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
dipverbUS /dɪp/
immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
being one more than seven
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
flaringadjectiveUS /ˈflerɪŋ/
streaming or flapping or spreading wide as if in a current of air
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
set up or found
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
depressingly dark
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN DEADLY PERIL.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
iron-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
kitchen-garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
set afire or burning
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
Nita
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
Nita's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
out-doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
PERILnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading IN DEADLY PERIL.
premonitionnounUS /preməˈnɪʃən/
a feeling of evil to come
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
with speed
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
rangedverbUS /reɪndʒd/
past form of “range” — change or be different within limits
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
tinnounUS /tɪn/
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
up-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
a message informing of danger
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Against the walls were ranged a large number of small, iron-bound chests, similar to the one up-stairs in Nita's closet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The little closetlike chamber, barely eight feet wide, was furnished with a small table, and an arm-chair, over which was thrown a coarse, dark-gray blanket.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She found the door slightly ajar, pushed it quickly open, and found herself, without warning or premonition, in a small, dingy, cobwebby room, full of gloomy shadows, and dimly lighted by a flaring dip, in an old battered tin candlestick.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Slowly and carefully Nita went down the dark, narrow, dusty steps to the rickety door at the foot, expecting confidently that it would lead her straight out-doors, most probably into the kitchen-garden.
