used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
anew
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
in the past
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
cloakedadjectiveUS /kloʊkt/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
an opposing military force
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
to come or go into
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "Your wits move slowly, my friend.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
to a considerable degree
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
intrusionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːʒən/
any entry into an area not previously occupied
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
without good reason
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Your wits move slowly, my friend.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Your wits move slowly, my friend.
OBEDIENCEnounUS /oʊˈbiːdiəns/
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
porternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading "Your wits move slowly, my friend.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading He obeyed her command almost unconsciously, and then recovered himself sufficiently to ask the meaning of this sudden intrusion.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
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 OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The woman laughed as she let the cloak, which she had held lightly across her, fall apart.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading "Your wits move slowly, my friend.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading OBEDIENCE AND TRUST Some two hours ago the porter had opened the small door in the high wall, and before he could prevent her, or ask her business, a woman, heavily cloaked, had stepped hastily in, and bade him close the door again.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading An enemy might enter while you were making up your mind to ask his business.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Your wits move slowly, my friend.
