used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
From this reading What was there to fear in a sleeping soldier anyhow?
from appearances alone
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She knew who it was at a glance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading What was there to fear in a sleeping soldier anyhow?
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading She knew who it was at a glance.
a quick look
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She knew who it was at a glance.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew who it was at a glance.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
panickyadjectiveUS /ˈpænɪki/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
the act of departing politely
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
pearlyadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrli/
of a white the color of pearls
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
recoiledverbUS /riˈkɔɪld/
past form of “recoil” — draw back, as with fear or pain
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
regainedverbUS /riˈɡeɪnd/
past form of “regain” — get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
self-poise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
the state of being asleep
From this reading What was there to fear in a sleeping soldier anyhow?
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading What was there to fear in a sleeping soldier anyhow?
a person, without saying who
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What was there to fear in a sleeping soldier anyhow?
vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading For a moment she seemed on the verge of panicky retreat, but little by little regained courage and self-poise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What was there to fear in a sleeping soldier anyhow?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was there to fear in a sleeping soldier anyhow?
a Caucasian
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
which person or people
From this reading She knew who it was at a glance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For a moment she stood with fluttering heart and parting lips that now permitted reassuring glimpse of pearly white teeth.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Somebody lay there, apparently asleep, and the fair young intruder recoiled in obvious confusion, if not dismay.
