Chapter XXV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Then his surprise was so great that he could only gasp out her name.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She smiled upon him delightfully.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

a sudden sharp intake of breath

From this reading Then his surprise was so great that he could only gasp out her name.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then his surprise was so great that he could only gasp out her name.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lucille!”

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then his surprise was so great that he could only gasp out her name.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then his surprise was so great that he could only gasp out her name.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then his surprise was so great that he could only gasp out her name.

above and across; more than

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She smiled upon him delightfully.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then his surprise was so great that he could only gasp out her name.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then his surprise was so great that he could only gasp out her name.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She smiled upon him delightfully.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

belonging to which person

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading He peered forward over his desk at the tall graceful figure whose entrance had been so noiseless, and whose footsteps had been so light that she stood almost within a few feet of him before he was even aware of her presence.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “You!