used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
having companions or an escort
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
acquiredadjectiveUS /əˈkwaɪərd/
gotten through environmental forces
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
(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 Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Gigantic shapes and shadows gleam, Portentous through the night."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
Caggett's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
Creery's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
greatly pleased
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
effectuallyadverb
in an effectual manner
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
elbowingnounUS /ˈelboʊɪŋ/
jostling with the elbows
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
divisible by two
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading THE FINGER OF FATE!
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading THE FINGER OF FATE!
at or to or toward the front
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
frownsnounUS /fraʊnz/
plural of “frown” — a facial expression of dislike or displeasure
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
GiganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading "Gigantic shapes and shadows gleam, Portentous through the night."
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading "Gigantic shapes and shadows gleam, Portentous through the night."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
the state of being honored
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
intrudersnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdərz/
plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
LislenounUS /ˈlaɪəl/
a fabric woven with lisle thread
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
LongfellownounUS /ˈlɔːŋfeloʊ/
United States poet remembered for his long narrative poems (1807-1882)
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
monopolizedverbUS /məˈnɑːpəlaɪzd/
past form of “monopolize” — have and control fully and exclusively
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
a form of address for a man
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading "Gigantic shapes and shadows gleam, Portentous through the night."
not any; not one
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FINGER OF FATE!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
opportunitiesnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/
plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
a human being
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
PortentousadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtentəs/
of momentous or ominous significance
From this reading "Gigantic shapes and shadows gleam, Portentous through the night."
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
Quentin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
RossnounUS /rɑːs/
Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
try to get or reach
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading "Gigantic shapes and shadows gleam, Portentous through the night."
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading "Gigantic shapes and shadows gleam, Portentous through the night."
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
snubsnounUS /snʌbz/
plural of “snub” — an instance of driving away or warding off
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
swains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
tabooed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
tennisnounUS /ˈtenəs/
a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FINGER OF FATE!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "Gigantic shapes and shadows gleam, Portentous through the night."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Helen noticed that he was tabooed, and lost no opportunity of speaking to him or smiling on him—but such opportunities were rare.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Quentin had a way, acquired by long practice,—of elbowing away all intruders from the vicinity of those whom he delighted to honour; and effectually introduced his own large person between Helen and any other swains that might seek her society;—in short, he monopolized her completely.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Longfellow._ FROM this time forward, Mr. Lisle occasionally accompanied his companion to Ross, and listened to the band, and was even to be met with at tennis parties, in brave defiance of Mrs. Creery's frowns and Miss Caggett's snubs.
