Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

perfect or complete or pure

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

a feeling of delighted approval and liking

From this reading It was the characteristic that chiefly earned her the admiration of men; women looked more often at her face.

(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 Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

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

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

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 Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was the characteristic that chiefly earned her the admiration of men; women looked more often at her face.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

causing inconvenience

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

capturing interest as if by a spell

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading It was the characteristic that chiefly earned her the admiration of men; women looked more often at her face.

for the most part

From this reading It was the characteristic that chiefly earned her the admiration of men; women looked more often at her face.

a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

a small crown; usually indicates a high rank but below that of sovereign

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

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

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

(Greek mythology) the virgin goddess of the hunt and the Moon; daughter of Leto and twin sister of Apollo; identified with Roman Diana

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

put on clothes

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

lighted by or as if by twilight

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action

From this reading It was the characteristic that chiefly earned her the admiration of men; women looked more often at her face.

divisible by two

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

intense or sharp

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

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

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

an alert and refreshed state

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

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

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

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

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

a feeling of joy and pride

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was the characteristic that chiefly earned her the admiration of men; women looked more often at her face.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

the force of workers available

From this reading It was the characteristic that chiefly earned her the admiration of men; women looked more often at her face.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

the back side of the neck

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

many times at short intervals

From this reading It was the characteristic that chiefly earned her the admiration of men; women looked more often at her face.

and nothing more

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

the state of being without a flaw or defect

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

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

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

unusual or striking

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

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

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

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

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

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

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

an elaborate manner of doing something

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

possessing sweep

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

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

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

unclearness by virtue of being poorly expressed or not coherent in meaning

From this reading Her dusky hair gave her all the stateliness of a coronet; swept away from her neck to the top of her head, it left only a few stray curls to shadow with bewitching lightness and vagueness the smooth surface of the exquisite nape.

precisely as stated

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

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

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Cynthia West made a delightful picture as she stood in the glow of the firelight and the rose-shaded lamps.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What was even more remarkable in Cynthia than the beauty of her face was the perfection of every line and contour of her body; the supple, swelling, lissom figure was full of absolute grace; she could not have been awkward if she had tried.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her dress, of deep red Indian silk, partly covered with puffings of soft-looking net of the same shade, was cut low, to show her beautiful neck and throat; the sleeves were very narrow, so that the whole length of her finely-shaped arm could be seen.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading It was the characteristic that chiefly earned her the admiration of men; women looked more often at her face.