used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
anew
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But not an hour had elapsed before she again heard a hand on the door, followed by loud knocking.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But not an hour had elapsed before she again heard a hand on the door, followed by loud knocking.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
casementnoun
a window sash that is hinged (usually on one side)
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
put or send forth
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
the first light of day
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
disturbancenounUS /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/
activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
move gently or carefully
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading But not an hour had elapsed before she again heard a hand on the door, followed by loud knocking.
a movement into or inward
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading But not an hour had elapsed before she again heard a hand on the door, followed by loud knocking.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But not an hour had elapsed before she again heard a hand on the door, followed by loud knocking.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading But not an hour had elapsed before she again heard a hand on the door, followed by loud knocking.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading But not an hour had elapsed before she again heard a hand on the door, followed by loud knocking.
set down according to a plan
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading But not an hour had elapsed before she again heard a hand on the door, followed by loud knocking.
MarleynounUS /ˈmɑːrli/
Jamaican singer who popularized reggae (1945-1981)
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But not an hour had elapsed before she again heard a hand on the door, followed by loud knocking.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
on one occasion
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
Rattenbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
respondverbUS /rɪˈspɑːnd/
show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She knew at once that Captain Rattenbury had returned, earlier than he had proposed, and she had been prepared to expect, and at ease in her mind she laid her head again on the pillow for sleep.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading Then she heard the door being locked and barred, and a heavy tread was on the stair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CAST FORTH Jane Marley was roused from her sleep before dawn by the sound of some one entering the house.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
which person or people
From this reading She paused a while, expecting the master of the house to respond; but as he did not do so, she opened the casement and asked who caused the disturbance.
