used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
angelsnounUS /ˈeɪndʒəlz/
plural of “angel” — spiritual being attendant upon God
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
for the reason that
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
calashnoun
a woman's large folded hooped hood; worn in the 18th century
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
cousinsnounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
deacon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
dearly loved
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
demureadjectiveUS /dɪˈmjʊr/
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
downcastadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnkæst/
directed downward
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
in a serious manner
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
at any time
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
exceptedverbUS /ɪkˈseptɪd/
past form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
fanverbUS /fæn/
strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The third figure in sight was the minister.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
a long fixed look
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
in a gradual manner
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
not accessible to view
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
long-handledadjective
having a long handle
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading The third figure in sight was the minister.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
a human being
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
pewnounUS /pjuː/
long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
precisely, exactly
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
saintsnounUS /seɪnts/
plural of “saint” — a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
Identical; not different.
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
cut with a saw
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The third figure in sight was the minister.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
required or under orders
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He often said to them that there was not one good person among them; but I supposed he excepted himself.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The third figure in sight was the minister.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
under normal conditions
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
which person or people
From this reading But I did sometimes gaze more earnestly than was polite at a dear, demure little lady who sat in the corner of the pew next ours, her downcast eyes shaded by a green calash, and her hidden right hand gently swaying a long-handled Chinese fan.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading I did not think he ever saw me; he was talking to the older people,--usually telling them how wicked they were.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading She was the deacon's wife, and I felt greatly interested in her movements and in the expression of her face, because I thought she represented the people they called "saints," who were, as I supposed, about the same as first cousins to the angels.
