used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
ajaradjectiveUS /əˈdʒɑːr/
slightly open
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
(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 The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
react verbally
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
ByrdnounUS /bɜːrd/
English organist and composer of church music; master of 16th century polyphony; was granted a monopoly in music printing with Thomas Tallis (1543-1623)
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
embassynounUS /ˈembəsi/
a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
a person of German nationality
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
of the present time and place
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
and nothing more
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
come together
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
not able to be found
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
a particular point in time
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
officesnounUS /ˈɔːfəsəz/
plural of “office” — place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
RutilenounUS /ˈruːtil/
a mineral consisting of titanium dioxide in crystalline form; occurs in metamorphic and plutonic rocks and is a major source of titanium
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
Rutile's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
shrugnounUS /ʃrʌɡ/
a gesture involving the shoulders
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading A tap at the embassy offices brought immediate answer, and he opened the door just as Rutile came to meet him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
Topham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
watchmannounUS /ˈwɑːtʃmən/
a guard who keeps watch
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
watchman-porter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
at the time that
From this reading When Topham left Miss Byrd he went back to the American embassy.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Finally he stepped to the entrance, intending to ask the watchman-porter there whether the secretary had gone.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The hour was late and the windows were all dark and the rooms seemed deserted, and despite Rutile’s invitation for a moment Topham hesitated to climb the stairs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To his surprise--though not so greatly so as it would have been if he had known German customs better--the door was ajar and the watchman missing; so with a shrug of his shoulders he entered and climbed the stairs.
