used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
in the past
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
any thing at all
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Things were not as they seemed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were startled and puzzled, and Cherriton, at least, was more than puzzled.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both Cherriton’s and Manners’s welcome rang false.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
Cherriton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
Cherriton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both Cherriton’s and Manners’s welcome rang false.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
approval
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading Both Cherriton’s and Manners’s welcome rang false.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
forcefulnessnounUS /ˈfɔːrsfəlnəs/
physical energy or intensity
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
a long fixed look
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They were not pleased to see him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were startled and puzzled, and Cherriton, at least, was more than puzzled.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
social deportment
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
Manners's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both Cherriton’s and Manners’s welcome rang false.
a particular point in time
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were startled and puzzled, and Cherriton, at least, was more than puzzled.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Things were not as they seemed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading They were not pleased to see him.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading They were startled and puzzled, and Cherriton, at least, was more than puzzled.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Both Cherriton’s and Manners’s welcome rang false.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They were not pleased to see him.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Things were not as they seemed.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading They were startled and puzzled, and Cherriton, at least, was more than puzzled.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were startled and puzzled, and Cherriton, at least, was more than puzzled.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Things were not as they seemed.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Things were not as they seemed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
accept gladly
From this reading Both Cherriton’s and Manners’s welcome rang false.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Things were not as they seemed.
belonging to which person
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The situation in the little parlour was delicate in the extreme, and as John’s gaze passed from the fat countenance of Manners to the cold forcefulness of Cherriton, whose strong hand but a moment ago gripped his own in greeting, he told himself that if he could creep from that situation with credit he could escape from anything.
