used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
any thing at all
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
charmedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrmd/
strongly attracted
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
divisible by two
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
at any time
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
fatuitynoun
a ludicrous folly
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
gesturesnounUS /ˈdʒestʃərz/
plural of “gesture” — motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
the sound of laughing
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
lidsnounUS /lɪdz/
plural of “lid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
held up in the air
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
Mattie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
memoriesnounUS /ˈmɛm.ə.riz/
Recollections of past events.
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
being perceived or observed
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
poignancynounUS /ˈpɔɪnjənsi/
a state of deeply felt distress or sorrow
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
cut with a saw
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
having passed out of existence
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He even noticed two or three gestures which, in his fatuity, he had thought she kept for him: a way of throwing her head back when she was amused, as if to taste her laugh before she let it out, and a trick of sinking her lids slowly when anything charmed or moved her.
at the time that
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
whirlverbUS /wɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
which person or people
From this reading To him, who was never gay but in her presence, her gaiety seemed plain proof of indifference.
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 face she lifted to her dancers was the same which, when she saw him, always looked like a window that has caught the sunset.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As he stood in the darkness outside the church these memories came back with the poignancy of vanished things.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Watching Mattie whirl down the floor from hand to hand he wondered how he could ever have thought that his dull talk interested her.
