used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading "You are indeed beautiful to-night," he half whispered, approaching her closer.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You are indeed beautiful to-night," he half whispered, approaching her closer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading "You are indeed beautiful to-night," he half whispered, approaching her closer.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading "You are indeed beautiful to-night," he half whispered, approaching her closer.
coldlyadverbUS /ˈkoʊldli/
lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner
From this reading Martha turned toward him coldly.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
put on clothes
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
first-act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
green-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You are indeed beautiful to-night," he half whispered, approaching her closer.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Martha turned toward him coldly.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "You are indeed beautiful to-night," he half whispered, approaching her closer.
indignantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnəntliː/
in an indignant manner
From this reading "Force myself?" repeated Gordon, half indignantly.
involuntarilyadverbUS /ˌɪnvoʊˈlʌntərɪli/
against your will
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
and nothing more
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
kneeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "Force myself?" repeated Gordon, half indignantly.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
ottomannounUS /ˈɑːtəmən/
a Turk (especially a Turk who is a member of the tribe of Osman I)
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
pleasingadjectiveUS /ˈpliːzɪŋ/
giving pleasure and satisfaction
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
refreshverbUS /rɪˈfreʃ/
refresh one's memory
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
recurring again and again
From this reading "Force myself?" repeated Gordon, half indignantly.
repeatingnounUS /rɪˈpiːtɪŋ/
the act of doing or performing again
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You are indeed beautiful to-night," he half whispered, approaching her closer.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Martha turned toward him coldly.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Martha turned toward him coldly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading BEFORE THE CURTAIN ROSE Gordon stopped short before Martha, involuntarily impressed at the pleasing picture she made, clad in her simple but effective first-act dress, as she half kneeled on the ottoman in the center of the green-room, repeating to herself the lines from her part, which she held in her hand and at which she occasionally glanced to refresh her memory.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading "You are indeed beautiful to-night," he half whispered, approaching her closer.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You are indeed beautiful to-night," he half whispered, approaching her closer.
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "Did you force yourself upon me this way just to utter such a commonplace remark as that?" she asked.
