Chapter XX · Chapter 20

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

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

not being in a specified place

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

later than; following

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

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

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

caused to show discomposure

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

past form of “elucidate” — make clear and (more) comprehensible

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

characterized by expression

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

(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 Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

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 It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

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

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

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

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

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

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

communication between individuals

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

past form of “kick” — drive or propel with the foot

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

pass into a specified state or condition

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

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

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

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

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

a particular point in time

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

many times at short intervals

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

weighing heavily on the senses or spirit

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

trouble or confusion resulting from complexity

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

plural of “preoccupation” — an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

past form of “probe” — question or examine thoroughly and closely

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know)

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

on the contrary

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

show approval or appreciation of

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

recurring again and again

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

a general conscious awareness

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

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

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

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

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

having a supporting base

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

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

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

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

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

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

From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

in a vague way

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

precisely as stated

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

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

From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

during the time that

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

which person or people

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.

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

From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.

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

From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.