used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
applicantnounUS /ˈæplɪkənt/
a person who requests or seeks something such as assistance or employment or admission
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Facing her, sat a slender young woman gowned in black.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
chaperonnoun
one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
conductingnounUS /kənˈdʌktɪŋ/
the way of administering a business
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
Courcelles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
deprecatoryadjective
tending to diminish or disparage
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
divisible by two
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
FacingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading Facing her, sat a slender young woman gowned in black.
FOLDnounUS /foʊld/
an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
fondlyadverbUS /ˈfɑːndli/
with fondness; with love
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
frocknounUS /frɑːk/
a long, loose outer garment
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
garmentnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənt/
an article of clothing
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
gownedadjective
wearing a gown
From this reading Facing her, sat a slender young woman gowned in black.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
impartverbUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːrt/
transmit (knowledge or skills)
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
impecuniousadjective
not having enough money to pay for necessities
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
instructornounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktər/
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
judicialadjectiveUS /dʒuːˈdɪʃəl/
decreed by or proceeding from a court of justice
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
long-timeadjective
having existed or persisted or continued in a particular role or state for a long time
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
LUCILLA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
ParisianadjectiveUS /pərˈɪʒən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Paris or its inhabitants
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
Plongeon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
purestadjectiveUS /ˈpjʊrəst/
superlative of “pure” — free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
RYDER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Facing her, sat a slender young woman gowned in black.
an educational institution
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Facing her, sat a slender young woman gowned in black.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
statelinessnoun
an elaborate manner of doing something
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
subtleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌtəl/
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
unobtrusiveadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəbˈtruːsɪv/
not obtrusive or undesirably noticeable
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
wearernounUS /ˈwerər/
a person who wears or carries or displays something as a body covering or accessory
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Miss Lucilla bent upon this attractive applicant for the position left vacant by the illness of Madame Plongeon--long-time French chaperon in the Ryder school--what she fondly believed to be a keen and penetrating scrutiny.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mademoiselle de Courcelles met the judicial glance with a sweet and deprecatory smile.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading A WOLF IN THE FOLD MISS LUCILLA RYDER, clothed in stateliness as in a garment, was conducting a business interview in her study.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Facing her, sat a slender young woman gowned in black.
worldly-wiseadjective
experienced in and wise to the ways of the world
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Facing her, sat a slender young woman gowned in black.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading The black frock, the black hat, the black gloves were simple, unobtrusive, altogether suitable for an impecunious instructor of youth; but there was a subtle something about them that would have whispered "French" to a worldly-wise observer, even if their wearer had not been speaking the purest of Parisian French in a voice calculated to impart melody to any language.
