used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LITTLE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
anonadverbUS /ˌæˈnɔːn/
at another time
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
cleareradjectiveUS /ˈklɪrər/
comparative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
conspiratorsnounUS /kənˈspɪrətərz/
plural of “conspirator” — a member of a conspiracy
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
without stop or interruption
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
crampedadjectiveUS /kræmpt/
constricted in size
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading A LITTLE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
at any time
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
a long fixed look
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
Goodenough's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
lamp's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A LITTLE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
moansnounUS /moʊnz/
plural of “moan” — an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
monotonynounUS /məˈnɑːtəni/
the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
obbligatonoun
a persistent but subordinate motif
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A LITTLE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading A LITTLE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
patternounUS /ˈpætər/
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
Rumsey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
Identical; not different.
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
except for; apart from
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
SheriffnounUS /ˈʃerəf/
the principal law-enforcement officer in a county
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
shufflingnounUS /ˈʃʌflɪŋ/
walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
snortverbUS /snɔːrt/
indicate contempt by breathing noisily and forcefully through the nose
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
make steady
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
trumpetverbUS /ˈtrʌmpət/
proclaim on, or as if on, a trumpet
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading One more than ordinarily prolonged and loud snort afforded Ruth an opportunity of changing her cramped position, and at the same time of obtaining a clearer view of the scene before her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
at the time that
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From time to time, however, this monotony was varied by the obbligato which Sheriff Goodenough's nose continued to trumpet forth.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading When the shuffling of the footsteps of the conspirators had died away far down below, not a sound was to be heard, save the rain, now fallen to a gentle patter, and ever and anon the wind spending itself in low fitful moans round the old mansion.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Almost immediately facing her, at the corner of the table, sat Rumsey, staring with such a fixed steady gaze straight before him, through the lamp's thin flickering flame, that she trembled and sank crouching to the floor.
