used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
the state of being absent
From this reading Jim felt the absence of his new friend keenly.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A woman is a figure behind a veil.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
CaironounUS /ˈkaɪroʊ/
a town at the southern tip of Illinois at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
dietnounUS /ˈdaɪət/
a prescribed selection of foods
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
command with authority
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
eludeverbUS /ɪˈluːd/
escape, either physically or mentally
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
evadedverbUS /ɪˈveɪdɪd/
past form of “evade” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Jim felt the absence of his new friend keenly.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A woman is a figure behind a veil.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Jim felt the absence of his new friend keenly.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
the act of departing
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
hintingverbUS /ˈhɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jim felt the absence of his new friend keenly.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A woman is a figure behind a veil.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jim felt the absence of his new friend keenly.
and nothing more
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading Jim felt the absence of his new friend keenly.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
and nothing more
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
mystificationnoun
confusion resulting from failure to understand
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Jim felt the absence of his new friend keenly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jim felt the absence of his new friend keenly.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
with low volume
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
reticencenounUS /ˈretɪsəns/
the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jim felt the absence of his new friend keenly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
unimportantadjectiveUS /ənɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
not important
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
unobtrusivelyadverb
in an unobtrusive manner
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It is her nature to elude, it is her happiness to have something to conceal; and man, more direct, often finds in her reticence upon some unimportant matter a cause of deep mystification.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading A woman is a figure behind a veil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
in or at the place that
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A woman is a figure behind a veil.
the words that are spoken
From this reading She had left for Cairo quietly and unobtrusively, just driving away from the little hotel with a wave of her hand to him, following a few words of good advice as to his diet and behaviour.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
produce a literary work
From this reading He had asked her where she was going to stay, hinting that he would like to write to her; but she had evaded a definite reply, saying merely that she was going to the house of some friends.
