Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

how long something has existed

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

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

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

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

From this reading Her companion appeared four or five years younger, and was not less beautiful.

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

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

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

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Her companion appeared four or five years younger, and was not less beautiful.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS.

past form of “detract” — take away a part from; diminish

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

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

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

the state of being unsure of something

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

divisible by two

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Her companion appeared four or five years younger, and was not less beautiful.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Her companion appeared four or five years younger, and was not less beautiful.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

assemble or get together

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

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

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

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

From this reading JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Her companion appeared four or five years younger, and was not less beautiful.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

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

From this reading JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS.

a privileged class holding hereditary titles

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Her companion appeared four or five years younger, and was not less beautiful.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

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

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading She, however, seemed purposely to place herself as far as possible from the light, so as to be little seen.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

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

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

being two more than thirty

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

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

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

French royal house from 1328 to 1589

From this reading JEANNE DE LA MOTTE VALOIS.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

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

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The first thought of Jeanne de la Motte was to examine the faces of her visitors, so as to gather what she could of their characters.

which person or people

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

a late time of life

From this reading The elder lady, who might have been, as we have said, about thirty-two years of age, was remarkably beautiful, although, at first sight, a great air of hauteur detracted slightly from the charm of her expression; her carriage was so proud, and her whole appearance so distingué that Jeanne could not doubt her nobility, even at a cursory glance.

used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father

From this reading Her companion appeared four or five years younger, and was not less beautiful.