used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hester rose and opened it, and Dr. Perriera appeared.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Hester rose and opened it, and Dr. Perriera appeared.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What has happened?" asked Nansie, solicitously.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
detectverbUS /dɪˈtekt/
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hester rose and opened it, and Dr. Perriera appeared.
at any time
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading "What has happened?" asked Nansie, solicitously.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What has happened?" asked Nansie, solicitously.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
Hester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hester rose and opened it, and Dr. Perriera appeared.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hester rose and opened it, and Dr. Perriera appeared.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
Nansie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What has happened?" asked Nansie, solicitously.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Hester rose and opened it, and Dr. Perriera appeared.
Perriera
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hester rose and opened it, and Dr. Perriera appeared.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Hester rose and opened it, and Dr. Perriera appeared.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
solicitouslyadverb
in a concerned and solicitous manner
From this reading "What has happened?" asked Nansie, solicitously.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
sympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Her sympathetic nature was ever on the alert to detect signs of trouble in her friends.
unwontedadjective
unaccustomed or unusual
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He looked round upon the happy group and smiled; but when the smile faded they observed an unwonted gravity in his face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What has happened?" asked Nansie, solicitously.
at the time that
From this reading The clock struck nine when a knock was heard at the door.
