completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
brandynounUS /ˈbrændi/
distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then that up-leaping instinct within her to defend herself came to her rescue.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
cupboardnounUS /ˈkʌbərd/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading Then that up-leaping instinct within her to defend herself came to her rescue.
duke'snounUS /duːks/
possessive form of “duke” — a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
opinion or judgment
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
flashingnounUS /ˈflæʃɪŋ/
a short vivid experience
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
girdverbUS /ɡɜːrd/
prepare oneself for a military confrontation
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
grinningnounUS /ˈɡrɪnɪŋ/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
only a very short time before
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
haughtilyadverbUS /ˈhɔːtɪli/
in a haughty manner
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then that up-leaping instinct within her to defend herself came to her rescue.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Then that up-leaping instinct within her to defend herself came to her rescue.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
go away from a place
From this reading "Leave me.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
roused to anger
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
Mercier's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
mockverbUS /mɑːk/
treat with contempt
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
Naz's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
poisonverbUS /ˈpɔɪzən/
spoil as if by poison
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
free from harm or evil
From this reading Then that up-leaping instinct within her to defend herself came to her rescue.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
shrunkverbUS /ʃrʌŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
term of address for a man
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
express in speech
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
speechlessadjectiveUS /ˈspiːtʃləs/
temporarily incapable of speaking
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
terror-strickenadjective
struck or filled with terror
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then that up-leaping instinct within her to defend herself came to her rescue.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
up-leaping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then that up-leaping instinct within her to defend herself came to her rescue.
valetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
VictornounUS /ˈvɪktər/
a combatant who is able to defeat rivals
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
at the time that
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At first she gazed, speechless, at Paul Naz’s set, ghastly face, with those pale blue eyes flashing menace and scorn.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Then that up-leaping instinct within her to defend herself came to her rescue.
wrathfuladjective
vehemently incensed and condemnatory
From this reading If the duke’s pale, wrathful valet had suddenly changed into the grinning skeleton which had seemed to Joan to mock and gird at her that night when she replaced the poison bottle in the cupboard after pouring its contents into Victor Mercier’s brandy, she could hardly have shrunk back more absolutely terror-stricken.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Are you mad, sir, to speak to me like this?" she haughtily said.
