used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Therefore he held the lighted match close to his face much longer than was necessary; he only dropped it when it began to scorch his fingers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
contournounUS /ˈkɑːntʊr/
a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading "On the eve of one's wedding day too."
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Therefore he held the lighted match close to his face much longer than was necessary; he only dropped it when it began to scorch his fingers.
Elsa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading "On the eve of one's wedding day too."
divisible by two
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
the organ of sight
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Therefore he held the lighted match close to his face much longer than was necessary; he only dropped it when it began to scorch his fingers.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
destroyed or killed
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
set afire or burning
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
for more time
From this reading Therefore he held the lighted match close to his face much longer than was necessary; he only dropped it when it began to scorch his fingers.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Therefore he held the lighted match close to his face much longer than was necessary; he only dropped it when it began to scorch his fingers.
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
absolutely essential
From this reading Therefore he held the lighted match close to his face much longer than was necessary; he only dropped it when it began to scorch his fingers.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "On the eve of one's wedding day too."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "On the eve of one's wedding day too."
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "On the eve of one's wedding day too."
and nothing more
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
petticoatsnounUS /ˈpetikoʊts/
plural of “petticoat” — undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
quaintadjectiveUS /kweɪnt/
strange in an interesting or pleasing way
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
scorchverbUS /skɔːrtʃ/
make very hot and dry
From this reading Therefore he held the lighted match close to his face much longer than was necessary; he only dropped it when it began to scorch his fingers.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
shiftverbUS /ʃɪft/
make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
with low volume
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Therefore he held the lighted match close to his face much longer than was necessary; he only dropped it when it began to scorch his fingers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "On the eve of one's wedding day too."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Therefore he held the lighted match close to his face much longer than was necessary; he only dropped it when it began to scorch his fingers.
up to a particular time
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "On the eve of one's wedding day too."
a just detectable amount
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
precisely as stated
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
voluminousadjectiveUS /vəˈluːmənəs/
large in volume or bulk
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading "On the eve of one's wedding day too."
welcomingadjectiveUS /ˈwelkəmɪŋ/
very cordial
From this reading He wanted her to see how indifferent was the expression in his eye, and that there was not the slightest trace of a welcoming smile lurking round his lips.
at the time that
From this reading But his cigar had gone out, and when Elsa stood quite close to him, and softly murmured his name, he struck a match very deliberately, and held it to the cigar so that it lighted up his face for a few seconds.
wide-sleeved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not see Elsa till she was quite close to him, and even then he could only vaguely distinguish the quaint contour of her wide-sleeved shift and of her voluminous petticoats.
