used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
adoptingverbUS /əˈdɑːptɪŋ/
-ing form of “adopt” — choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading The sour-faced girl was adopting a nonchalant air.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The sour-faced girl was adopting a nonchalant air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
coversnounUS /ˈkʌvərz/
plural of “cover” — a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
From this reading The table was laid for a meal and there were covers for eight.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
being one more than seven
From this reading The table was laid for a meal and there were covers for eight.
eyebrowsnounUS /ˈaɪbraʊz/
plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The table was laid for a meal and there were covers for eight.
a young female
From this reading The sour-faced girl was adopting a nonchalant air.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
guidedadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdəd/
subject to guidance or control especially after launching
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
hipnounUS /hɪp/
either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The table was laid for a meal and there were covers for eight.
either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading The table was laid for a meal and there were covers for eight.
the force of workers available
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
nonchalantadjectiveUS /ˌnɑːnʃəˈlɑːnt/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading The sour-faced girl was adopting a nonchalant air.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
self-consciouslyadverb
in an uncomfortably self-conscious manner
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
self-consciousnessnounUS /ˌselfˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/
embarrassment deriving from the feeling that others are critically aware of you
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
that is looked for
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
sour-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sour-faced girl was adopting a nonchalant air.
having a supporting base
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The table was laid for a meal and there were covers for eight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The table was laid for a meal and there were covers for eight.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She guided Ann through the passage and into a parlour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
uneasilyadverbUS /əˈniːzəli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading Hand on hip, eyebrows raised, lip curled, she sought self-consciously to veil her self-consciousness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The table was laid for a meal and there were covers for eight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The table was laid for a meal and there were covers for eight.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Standing uneasily together as though for protection were the two girls and two young men.
