Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

having a strong desire for success or achievement

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

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

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

-ing form of “apply” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading His son seemed likely to follow in his steps, and was meanwhile applying the same arts to the conquest of the Starkfield maidenhood.

studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)

From this reading His son seemed likely to follow in his steps, and was meanwhile applying the same arts to the conquest of the Starkfield maidenhood.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

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

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

the act of conquering

From this reading His son seemed likely to follow in his steps, and was meanwhile applying the same arts to the conquest of the Starkfield maidenhood.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

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

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

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

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

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

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

more quickly

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

a boy or man

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading His son seemed likely to follow in his steps, and was meanwhile applying the same arts to the conquest of the Starkfield maidenhood.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

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

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

possessive form of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

the act of departing

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

a retail merchant who sells foodstuffs (and some household supplies)

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

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

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

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

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

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

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

marked by casual disrespect

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

people of Ireland or of Irish extraction

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

plural of “jockey” — someone employed to ride horses in horse races

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading His son seemed likely to follow in his steps, and was meanwhile applying the same arts to the conquest of the Starkfield maidenhood.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

the childhood of a girl

From this reading His son seemed likely to follow in his steps, and was meanwhile applying the same arts to the conquest of the Starkfield maidenhood.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading His son seemed likely to follow in his steps, and was meanwhile applying the same arts to the conquest of the Starkfield maidenhood.

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

plural of “mount” — a lightweight horse kept for riding only

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

plural of “musician” — someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

the relation of an owner to the thing possessed; possession with the right to transfer possession to others

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

a person's partner in marriage

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

extremely

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

Identical; not different.

From this reading His son seemed likely to follow in his steps, and was meanwhile applying the same arts to the conquest of the Starkfield maidenhood.

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

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

a male human offspring

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

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

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading His son seemed likely to follow in his steps, and was meanwhile applying the same arts to the conquest of the Starkfield maidenhood.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

the gracefulness of a person or animal that is flexible and supple

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

inflected form of “testify” — give testimony in a court of law

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

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

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Hitherto Ethan Frome had been content to think him a mean fellow; but now he positively invited a horse-whipping.

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

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

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

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Now and then he turned his eyes from the girl’s face to that of her partner, which, in the exhilaration of the dance, had taken on a look of almost impudent ownership.

belonging to which person

From this reading Denis Eady was the son of Michael Eady, the ambitious Irish grocer, whose suppleness and effrontery had given Starkfield its first notion of “smart” business methods, and whose new brick store testified to the success of the attempt.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

but in spite of that

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The dancers were going faster and faster, and the musicians, to keep up with them, belaboured their instruments like jockeys lashing their mounts on the home-stretch; yet it seemed to the young man at the window that the reel would never end.