adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
abackadverbUS /əˈbæk/
having the wind against the forward side of the sails
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
actuallyadverbUS /ˈæktʃuːəli/
in actual fact
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
concealingnounUS /kənˈsiːlɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
featuresnounUS /ˈfiːtʃərz/
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
good-humoredadjective
disposed to please
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
immobileadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmoʊbəl/
not capable of movement or of being moved
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
importedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtɪd/
used of especially merchandise brought from a foreign source
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
indicationnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
indistinctive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
instinctiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/
unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
jawverbUS /dʒɔː/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
maskverbUS /mæsk/
hide under a false appearance
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
mentaladjectiveUS /ˈmentəl/
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
moodnounUS /muːd/
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
mouthnounUS /maʊθ/
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
muscularadjectiveUS /ˈmʌskjələr/
of or relating to or consisting of muscle
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
practicaladjectiveUS /ˈpræktəkəl/
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
preoccupationnounUS /priˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
remarkableadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl/
unusual or striking
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
salutedverbUS /səˈluːtɪd/
past form of “salute” — propose a toast to
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
shouldersnounUS /ˈʃoʊldərz/
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
slightestadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪtəst/
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
SperrynounUS /ˈsperi/
United States engineer and inventor of the gyrocompass (1860-1930)
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
squareverbUS /skwer/
make square
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
squarelyadverbUS /ˈskwerli/
directly and without evasion; not roundabout
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
studiousadjectiveUS /ˈstuːdiəs/
marked by care and effort
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.
trusteesnounUS /ˌtrʌˈstiːz/
plural of “trustee” — a person (or institution) to whom legal title to property is entrusted to use for another's benefit
From this reading But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.
unlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
vacuitynoun
the absence of matter
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even the practical Mr. Sperry was taken aback.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.
