used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
blushverbUS /blʌʃ/
turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
bouquetnounUS /buːˈkeɪ/
an arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
embarrassmentnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənt/
the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
exposurenounUS /ɪkˈspoʊʒər/
vulnerability to the elements; to the action of heat or cold or wind or rain
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
fondlingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
growlsnounUS /ɡraʊlz/
plural of “growl” — the sound of growling (as made by animals)
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
HawthornenounUS /ˈhɔːθɔːrn/
United States writer of novels and short stories mostly on moral themes (1804-1864)
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
held up in the air
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Gerald looked on with simple pleasure.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
not any; not one
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Gerald looked on with simple pleasure.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Gerald looked on with simple pleasure.
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
reassureverbUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊr/
cause to feel sure; give reassurance to
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
rubbedverbUS /rʌbd/
inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Gerald looked on with simple pleasure.
be seated
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
telltaleadjectiveUS /ˈtelteɪl/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
tickledverbUS /ˈtɪkəld/
past form of “tickle” — touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
weeadjectiveUS /wiː/
(used informally) very small
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
at the time that
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She rubbed her nose fondlingly in the soft silk of his breast, while, tickled, he tried, with baby growls and an exposure of sharp pin teeth, to get a bite at it.
a Caucasian
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
in the company of; together with
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading She felt herself blush for the dismay she had not been able to conceal, and to hide this embarrassment she lifted to her face--not the handkerchief or the bouquet with which beauty is wont to cover the telltale signal in the cheek, but a wee dog, as white as a handkerchief and no less sweet than a bouquet.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading When Gerald asked Mrs. Hawthorne to sit for him, she stared in his face without a word.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Don't be afraid," he hastened to reassure her; "I engage to paint a portrait you will like."
