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Chapter IV
TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone. He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth. Scarcely glancing up, he motioned her to a seat. "In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you." She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.”
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.”
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading “He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.”
made a gesture telling someone to move or come closer
From this reading “Scarcely glancing up, he motioned her to a seat.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.”
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.”
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “"In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you."”
betrayal of trust
From this reading “TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you."
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely glancing up, he motioned her to a seat.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
moving to the inside of something
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you."
made a gesture telling someone to move or come closer
From this reading Scarcely glancing up, he motioned her to a seat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely glancing up, he motioned her to a seat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely glancing up, he motioned her to a seat.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you."
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
betrayal of trust
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely glancing up, he motioned her to a seat.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you."
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was sitting in front of his open desk, a pile of papers before him, and a long, black-looking cigar between his teeth.
at the time that
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She sat down in one of the chairs, now vacant, which had been drawn up to the study table.
in the company of; together with
From this reading TREACHERY Somewhat to Virginia's surprise, when at last she stepped with beating heart into the library, she found her uncle alone.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "In five minutes," he said, "I shall want to talk to you."
