used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
accoutrementsnounUS /əˈkuːtərmənts/
plural of “accoutrement” — clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
adornmentnounUS /əˈdɔːrnmənt/
a decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve plainness
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
approximationsnounUS /əˌprɑːksəˈmeɪʃənz/
plural of “approximation” — an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
buttonnounUS /ˈbʌtən/
a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
caressedverbUS /kərˈest/
past form of “caress” — touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
claspverbUS /klæsp/
hold firmly and tightly
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
commemoratingadjectiveUS /kəˈmeməreɪtɪŋ/
intended as a commemoration
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
donnedverbUS /dɑːnd/
inflected form of “don” — put clothing on one's body
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
put on clothes
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
festivitiesnounUS /feˈstɪvətiz/
plural of “festivity” — any joyous diversion
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Please go now, quickly."
half-turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
immediately past
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
without good reason
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
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 Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
a particular point in time
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Please go now, quickly."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading "Please go now, quickly."
with speed
From this reading "Please go now, quickly."
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
semi-barbaric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading When at last she spoke, her voice was steady.
make steady
From this reading When at last she spoke, her voice was steady.
not in physical motion
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His hand made as if to clasp her arm, then dropped to his side.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Her fingers lightly caressed a button on the long table as she half-turned toward him.
trappingsnounUS /ˈtræpɪŋz/
(usually plural) accessory wearing apparel
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
a shaky motion
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading When at last she spoke, her voice was steady.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
at the time that
From this reading When at last she spoke, her voice was steady.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At this moment, she was glad they still wore the semi-barbaric accoutrements donned for last night's festivities, commemorating the conclusion of the final war--weird, fantastic trappings, selected more for adornment than for approximations of ancient military dress--for he would not notice that she was trembling.
