used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
AloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
another's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
classicaladjectiveUS /ˈklæsɪkəl/
of or relating to the first significant period of a civilization, culture, area of study, etc.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
set up or found
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
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 Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
Jean'snounUS /dʒiːnz/
possessive form of “jean” — a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
a particular point in time
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
MuirnounUS /mjʊr/
United States naturalist (born in England) who advocated the creation of national parks (1838-1914)
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/
an insignificant place
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
robesnounUS /roʊbz/
plural of “robe” — any loose flowing garment
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
royaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
cut with a saw
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
only a very short time before
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
shynessnounUS /ˈʃaɪnəs/
a feeling of fear of embarrassment
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
not in physical motion
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
substitutedverbUS /ˈsʌbstətuːtɪd/
past form of “substitute” — put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
express in words
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
unchangedadjectiveUS /ənˈtʃeɪndʒd/
not made or become different
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
look attentively
From this reading Alone in the deserted drawing room he found her, and paused to watch her a moment before he spoke; for something in her attitude and face struck him.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her royal robes were still unchanged, though the crown was off and all her fair hair hung about her shoulders.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
at the time that
From this reading His cousin came down looking lovely in a classical costume; but Gerald scarcely saw her, and, when the merriment was at its height, he slipped away to discover what had become of Miss Muir.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was leaning wearily back in the great chair which had served for a throne.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Why he checked Jean’s name on his lips and substituted another’s, he could not tell; but a sudden shyness in speaking of her possessed him, and though he saw her nowhere, he would not ask for her.
