used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
alluringadjectiveUS /əˈlʊrɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
ARCH-CONSPIRATORS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ARCH-CONSPIRATORS.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
attractivelyadverbUS /əˈtræktɪvli/
in a beautiful manner
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
comelyadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmli/
according with custom or propriety
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
cunninglyadverb
in an attractive manner
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
employverbUS /emˈplɔɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
at any time
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
excitedlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/
with excitement; in an excited manner
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
expatiateverb
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
forty-threeadjective
being three more than forty
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
glossyadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɔːsi/
based on pretense; deceptively pleasing
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
goodlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡʊdli/
large in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
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 cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
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 cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
narratedverbUS /ˈnereɪtɪd/
past form of “narrate” — provide commentary for a film, for example
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
placiditynoun
a feeling of calmness; a quiet and undisturbed feeling
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
proportionsnounUS /prəˈpɔːrʃənz/
plural of “proportion” — the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
smoothedadjectiveUS /smuːðd/
made smooth by ironing
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
sterneradjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrnər/
comparative of “stern” — of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
not in physical motion
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
TiffinnounUS /ˈtɪfɪn/
a midday meal
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
Townsleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
tryingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Mary was a comely maiden of forty-three, of comfortable proportions and goodly to look upon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
at the time that
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
which person or people
From this reading When Mary Tiffin, who had been in the employ of the Townsleys ever since their marriage, excitedly entered the parlor ten minutes after the events narrated, it was empty.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her cheeks were still attractively round; her glossy black hair was, with much placidity, smoothed over her temples, cunningly brought above her ears, and twisted in an alluring knot at the back of her head.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading Her eyes were of that deep peculiar blue which generally is such a menace to the peace of the sterner sex, and over which lovers are wont to expatiate so tryingly to bosom friends.
