used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
almondnounUS /ˈɑːmənd/
small bushy deciduous tree native to Asia and North Africa having pretty pink blossoms and highly prized edible nuts enclosed in a hard green hull; cultivated in southern Australia and California
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For Collins was young, good-looking, and knew it.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He saw at a glance that she was French--exceedingly French--and he preferred English beauty, as a rule.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/
plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading He saw at a glance that she was French--exceedingly French--and he preferred English beauty, as a rule.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
Blackfriars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
CollinsnounUS /ˈkɑːlɪnz/
English writer noted for early detective novels (1824-1889)
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
constablenounUS /ˈkɑːnstəbəl/
a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
enchantingadjectiveUS /enˈtʃæntɪŋ/
capturing interest as if by a spell
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading He saw at a glance that she was French--exceedingly French--and he preferred English beauty, as a rule.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
to an extreme degree
From this reading He saw at a glance that she was French--exceedingly French--and he preferred English beauty, as a rule.
the organ of sight
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
opinion or judgment
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
femininitynounUS /ˌfeməˈnɪnəti/
the trait of behaving in ways considered typical for women
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
fluffnounUS /flʌf/
any light downy material
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For Collins was young, good-looking, and knew it.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
giftedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪftəd/
endowed with talent or talents
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He saw at a glance that she was French--exceedingly French--and he preferred English beauty, as a rule.
good-lookingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʊdlʊkɪŋ/
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading For Collins was young, good-looking, and knew it.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
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 So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For Collins was young, good-looking, and knew it.
and nothing more
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading For Collins was young, good-looking, and knew it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
Man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
mazenounUS /meɪz/
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
ParisianadjectiveUS /pərˈɪʒən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Paris or its inhabitants
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
more desirable than another
From this reading He saw at a glance that she was French--exceedingly French--and he preferred English beauty, as a rule.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
on the contrary
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading He saw at a glance that she was French--exceedingly French--and he preferred English beauty, as a rule.
cut with a saw
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
screennounUS /skriːn/
a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He saw at a glance that she was French--exceedingly French--and he preferred English beauty, as a rule.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
a particular situation
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
susceptibleadjectiveUS /səˈseptəbəl/
(often followed by “of” or “to”) yielding readily to or capable of
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
a special situation
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
threadingverbUS /ˈθredɪŋ/
-ing form of “thread” — to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
tintedverbUS /ˈtɪntɪd/
past form of “tint” — color lightly
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
vehiclesnounUS /ˈviːhɪkəlz/
plural of “vehicle” — a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For Collins was young, good-looking, and knew it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
at the time that
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
willowyadjectiveUS /ˈwɪləwi/
slender and graceful
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nature had gifted him with a susceptible heart and a fond eye for the beauties of femininity.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading So when he looked round and saw the woman threading her way through the maze of vehicles at "Dead Man's Corner," with her skirt held up just enough to show two twinkling little feet in French shoes, and over them a graceful, willowy figure, and over that an enchanting, if rather too highly tinted, face, with almond eyes and a fluff of shining hair under the screen of a big Parisian hat--that did for him on the spot.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thing wouldn't have happened if any other constable than Collins had been put on point duty at Blackfriars Bridge that morning.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading For Collins was young, good-looking, and knew it.
