used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
colloquynounUS /ˈkɑːləkwi/
a conversation especially a formal one
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
conveyedverbUS /kənˈveɪd/
past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
Damaris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
demeanournounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
distinctnessnoun
the quality of being sharp and clear
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
one or the other of two
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
ElizabethannounUS /ˌelɪzəˈbiːθən/
a person who lived during the reign of Elizabeth I
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
flavournoun
the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
the act of giving
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
intelligibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəbəl/
capable of being apprehended or understood
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
judgingnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒɪŋ/
the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
laudableadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːdəbəl/
worthy of high praise
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
LAYSnounUS /leɪz/
plural of “lay” — a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
NotingverbUS /ˈnoʊtɪŋ/
-ing form of “note” — make mention of
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
offencenoun
the action of attacking an enemy
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
OMINOUSadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
pebblesnounUS /ˈpebəlz/
plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
reddenedadjective
(especially of the face) reddened or suffused with or as if with blood from emotion or exertion
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
sandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
scrutinizedverbUS /ˈskruːtənaɪzd/
past form of “scrutinize” — to look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
shieldnounUS /ʃiːld/
a protective covering or structure
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
sidewaysadverbUS /ˈsaɪdweɪz/
with one side forward or to the front
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
teaseverbUS /tiːz/
annoy persistently
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
male cat
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
unawareadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈwer/
(often followed by “of”) not aware
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
uneasilyadverbUS /əˈniːzəli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Noting it Tom reddened and glanced uneasily at his companion, all inclination to tease giving place to a laudable desire to shield her from annoyance.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
VeritynounUS /ˈverəti/
conformity to reality or actuality
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
VictorianadjectiveUS /vɪkˈtɔːriən/
of or relating to Queen Victoria of Great Britain or to the age in which she ruled
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading But Damaris, judging by her demeanour, was unaware of any cause of offence; whence, with relief he concluded that either she had not heard, or that the rank expression conveyed nothing intelligible to her mind.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Her open hand pressed down upon the rough surface of the pebbles, she leaned a little backward, her lithe body twisted sideways from the waist, while she scrutinized the man upon the sands below.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN WHICH THE PAST LAYS AN OMINOUS HAND ON THE PRESENT Down here on the shore, in the serene morning atmosphere, voices carried with peculiar distinctness.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Every word of the brief colloquy had reached Tom Verity; and one word at least possessed an Elizabethan flavour forbidden to ears Victorian, feminine and polite.
