used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading And all was still--with that sort of silence which is pregnant with meaning.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
eagerly desirous
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
Ballingall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
bristlingverbUS /ˈbrɪsəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “bristle” — be in a state of movement or action
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
designedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪnd/
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
Ella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
fumblingadjectiveUS /ˈfʌmbəlɪŋ/
showing lack of skill or aptitude
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
GrahamnounUS /ˈɡreɪəm/
United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
hairsnounUS /herz/
plural of “hair” — a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
insertverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrt/
put or introduce into something
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
instant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
InstinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And all was still--with that sort of silence which is pregnant with meaning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
a small worthless amount
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
and nothing more
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
latchkeynounUS /ˈlætʃkiː/
key for raising or drawing back a latch or opening an outside door
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
Madge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading And all was still--with that sort of silence which is pregnant with meaning.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
nestlingnounUS /ˈnestlɪŋ/
young bird not yet fledged
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
perturbedadjectiveUS /pərˈtɜːrbd/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
pregnantadjectiveUS /ˈpreɡnənt/
carrying developing offspring within the body or being about to produce new life
From this reading And all was still--with that sort of silence which is pregnant with meaning.
protectiveadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪv/
intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading And all was still--with that sort of silence which is pregnant with meaning.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading And all was still--with that sort of silence which is pregnant with meaning.
not in physical motion
From this reading And all was still--with that sort of silence which is pregnant with meaning.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
terriernounUS /ˈteriər/
any of several usually small short-bodied breeds originally trained to hunt animals living underground
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
in the direction of
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading TWO VISITORS Instinctively Ella drew closer to Jack, nestling at his side, as if for the sake of the near neighbourhood.
a message informing of danger
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And all was still--with that sort of silence which is pregnant with meaning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading While Ballingall moved farther towards the window, with that in his bearing which curiously suggested the bristling hairs of the perturbed and anxious terrier.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Graham advanced towards Madge, placing himself just at her back, with a something protective in his air--as if he designed to place himself in front of her at an instant's warning.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without in the stillness, there could be plainly heard the fumbling of the latchkey, as if some one, with unaccustomed hands, was attempting to insert it in the door.
