used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
AltheanounUS /ælˈθiːə/
any of various plants of the genus Althaea; similar to but having smaller flowers than genus Alcea
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
assiduouslyadverbUS /əˈsɪdwəsli/
with care and persistence
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
encounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
at any time
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
flagrantlyadverbUS /ˈfleɪɡrəntli/
in a flagrant manner
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
flirtingnounUS /ˈflɜːrtɪŋ/
playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
set up or found
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
Helen'snounUS /ˈhelɪnz/
possessive form of “helen” — (Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
imaginativenessnoun
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
and nothing more
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
Kane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
not any; not one
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
nocturnaladjectiveUS /nɑːkˈtɜːrnəl/
belonging to or active during the night
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
placidlyadverbUS /ˈplæsɪdli/
in a quiet and tranquil manner
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
preoccupying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Her sympathy must be aroused for her to care to see, and just now she felt no sympathy for any one but Mr. Kane.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
sharpenedadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːrpənd/
having the point made sharp
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
sketchingverbUS /ˈsketʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “sketch” — make a sketch of
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
speculativeadjectiveUS /ˈspekjələtɪv/
not financially safe or secure
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gerald, flirting far less flagrantly and sketching assiduously, was in no need of sympathy; nor Althea, despite the fact that Helen felt her to be a little reserved and melancholy.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
look attentively
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was nothing else of much interest to watch, as far as she was aware, for Helen's powers of observation were not sharpened by much imaginativeness.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Althea, on the whole, seemed placidly enough absorbed in her duties of hostess, and her state of mind, at no time much preoccupying Helen, preoccupied her now less than ever.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was after this little nocturnal encounter that Helen found herself watching Mr. Kane with a dim, speculative sympathy.
