used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
absorbedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
alien-rhythmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
apologeticadjectiveUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪk/
offering or expressing apology
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
AspinwallnounUS /ˈæspɪnwɔːl/
a port city at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
coffin-shaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
combinationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “combination” — a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
disturbingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
draft-swayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
made afraid
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
fumesnounUS /fjuːmz/
gases ejected from an engine as waste products
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
hamperedverbUS /ˈhæmpərd/
past form of “hamper” — prevent the progress or free movement of
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
hesitancynounUS /ˈhezɪtənsi/
a feeling of diffidence and indecision about doing something
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
Hindoonoun
a native or inhabitant of Hindustan or India
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
idiomaticadjectiveUS /ˌɪdiəˈmætɪk/
of or relating to or conforming to idiom
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
ignoreverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/
refuse to acknowledge
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
inexplicableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəkˈsplɪsəbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
laboredadjectiveUS /ˈleɪbərd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
Marigny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
narrativenounUS /ˈnærətɪv/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
oddlyadverbUS /ˈɑːdli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
ostentatiouslyadverbUS /ˌɑːstənˈteɪʃəsli/
with ostentation; in an ostentatious manner
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
by chance
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
Phillips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
portentousadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtentəs/
of momentous or ominous significance
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
cut with a saw
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
tapestriesnounUS /ˈtæpəstriz/
plural of “tapestry” — something that resembles a tapestry in its intricacy
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
tendedverbUS /ˈtendɪd/
past form of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
tensionnounUS /ˈtenʃən/
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
tickingnounUS /ˈtɪkɪŋ/
a metallic tapping sound
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Aspinwall pretended to ignore the narrative and kept his eyes ostentatiously on the papers before him.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
tripodsnounUS /ˈtraɪpɑːdz/
plural of “tripod” — a three-legged rack used for support
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As the Hindoo paused in his story he saw that de Marigny and Phillips were watching him absorbedly.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
which person or people
From this reading The old negro who had tended them was gone--perhaps some growing tension had frightened him out of the house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
woveverbUS /woʊv/
inflected form of “weave” — interlace by or as if by weaving
From this reading The alien-rhythmed ticking of the coffin-shaped clock took on a new and portentous meaning, while the fumes from the choked, neglected tripods wove themselves into fantastic and inexplicable shapes, and formed disturbing combinations with the grotesque figures of the draft-swayed tapestries.
but in spite of that
From this reading An almost apologetic hesitancy hampered the speaker as he resumed in his oddly labored yet idiomatic voice.
