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 It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

tolerating without protest

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

(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 Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

from appearances alone

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

in a state of sleep

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

adopted in order to deceive

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

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

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

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

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

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

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

to a faint degree or weakly perceived

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

made afraid

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

come to pass

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

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

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

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

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

the act of retaining something

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

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

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

in an incisive manner

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

plural of “inference” — the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

plural of “insinuation” — an indirect (and usually malicious) implication

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

property that is leased or rented out or let

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

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

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

on one occasion

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

above and across; more than

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

appearing as such but not necessarily so

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

remove body hair with a razor

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

the act of removing hair with a razor

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

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

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

possessive form of “silver” — a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

in a stupid manner

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

plural of “suspender” — elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the plural)

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

push forcefully

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

in the direction of

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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

From this reading But I haven’t got the time now; I’m late as it is,” he returned, holding his old silver turnip-watch to the candle.

two times

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading That thrust had frightened him more than any vague insinuations about Denis Eady.

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

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

at the time that

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

during the time that

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.

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

From this reading It was a fact that since Mattie Silver’s coming he had taken to shaving every day; but his wife always seemed to be asleep when he left her side in the winter darkness, and he had stupidly assumed that she would not notice any change in his appearance.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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

From this reading Zeena, apparently accepting this as final, lay watching him in silence while he pulled his suspenders over his shoulders and jerked his arms into his coat; but as he went toward the door she said, suddenly and incisively: “I guess you’re always late, now you shave every morning.”

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

From this reading Once or twice in the past he had been faintly disquieted by Zenobia’s way of letting things happen without seeming to remark them, and then, weeks afterward, in a casual phrase, revealing that she had all along taken her notes and drawn her inferences.