Chapter I

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

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

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

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

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

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

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

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of "John Standon of Texas," "Black Star."

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

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Author of "John Standon of Texas," "Black Star."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

marked by refinement in taste and manners

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

capable of making an error

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

to an extreme degree

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

opinion or judgment

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

wearing a gown

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

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

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

in an attractively handsome manner

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

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

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

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

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

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

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

the act of indulging or gratifying a desire

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Author of "John Standon of Texas," "Black Star."

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

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

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

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

engage in

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

being roughly between 45 and 65 years old

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "John Standon of Texas," "Black Star."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

by chance

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

preceding and preparing for something

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

with speed

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

express the need or desire for

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

the principal law-enforcement officer in a county

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

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

From this reading Author of "John Standon of Texas," "Black Star."

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Author of "John Standon of Texas," "Black Star."

someone skilled in the transcription of speech (especially dictation)

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading Author of "John Standon of Texas," "Black Star."

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

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

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

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

someone who visits

From this reading Sheriff Kowen got out of his chair quickly, and placed one at the end of the desk for his visitor.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

at the time that

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.

which person or people

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Sheriff Kowen looked up from his desk in amazement as the stenographer ushered in the woman.

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

From this reading The name on her card had told him nothing, and he had expected to be confronted by some middle-aged, washed-out, tired wife and mother who would make a request to visit the jail and talk with an erring relative.

a late time of life

From this reading What he did see when he raised his eyes and cleared his throat preparatory to indulging in his professional attitude, was a handsomely gowned, beautiful woman of perhaps thirty years, a woman who appeared to be exceedingly cultured and refined.