Chapter XV · Chapter 15

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

later than; following

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

open to or abounding in fresh air

From this reading "It's a lovely morning; you'll find it nicely aired."

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

(of hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

the lower side of anything

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

approval

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

coming down or downward

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a person who breeds and trains hawks and who follows the sport of falconry

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading "It's a lovely morning; you'll find it nicely aired."

plural of “frock” — a long, loose outer garment

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

coins made of gold

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

destroyed or killed

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Good-morning, Miss Falconer," he greeted her.

past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone

From this reading "Good-morning, Miss Falconer," he greeted her.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Good-morning, Miss Falconer," he greeted her.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

English actor of stage and screen (1893-1943)

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

relating to or associated with an empire

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

plural of “inca” — a ruler of the Incas (or a member of his family)

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It's a lovely morning; you'll find it nicely aired."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "It's a lovely morning; you'll find it nicely aired."

and nothing more

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

in a languid and lethargic manner

From this reading She smiled languidly.

a relaxed comfortable feeling

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading "It's a lovely morning; you'll find it nicely aired."

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a female domestic

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

come together

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

in a nice way

From this reading "It's a lovely morning; you'll find it nicely aired."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

above and across; more than

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading She smiled languidly.

of the white color of snow

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

the rays of the sun

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

which person or people

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

in the company of; together with

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading She had slept the sleep of the just--the maid who had gone to wake her with her early cup of tea had been almost startled by the statuesqueness of her beauty, as she lay with her head pillowed on her snow-white arm and her wonderful hair streaming over the pillow--had suffered herself to be dressed with imperial patience, and looked--as Howard, who stood at the bottom of the stairs--said to himself, "like a queen of the Incas descending to her throne-room."

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Quite an hour after Stafford had started to meet Ida, Miss Falconer made her appearance, coming slowly down the stairs in the daintiest of morning frocks, with her auburn hair shining like old gold in the sunlight, and an expression of languor in her beautiful face which would have done credit to a hot-house lily.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "It's a lovely morning; you'll find it nicely aired."