used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
Alec's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
confined by bonds
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I didn't think," he said.
dog'snounUS /dɔːɡz/
possessive form of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
doorstepnounUS /ˈdɔːrstep/
the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
imprisonedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənd/
being in captivity
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
lamplightnoun
light from a lamp
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
larches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
immediately past
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
march in a procession
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
moonlessadjective
without a moon or a visible moon
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
steadinessnounUS /ˈstedinɪs/
freedom from wavering or indecision; constancy of resolve or conduct
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
not moving or operating freely
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
having come into contact
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
precisely as stated
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
accept gladly
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
at the time that
From this reading Very late, on a dark and moonless night in March, when the larches were stiff and silent under the frost that bound the hills, and the air was of an imprisoned stillness, Janet, sewing by lamplight, heard a dog's bark cut through the quiet, and then hurried footsteps that were Alec's.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading What made you think I would be up?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lost their steadiness for an instant, but as he opened the door she peered round the lamp and said sharply: "So you're here at last!
You've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You've not touched my doorstep for four weeks, and now you come at this time of night and expect a welcome!
