aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
matters of personal concern
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He looked after her as she sped upstairs.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He looked after her as she sped upstairs.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
avertedverbUS /əˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “avert” — prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
bracingnounUS /ˈbreɪsɪŋ/
a structural member used to stiffen a framework
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
consultverbUS /kənˈsʌlt/
get or ask advice from
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
the organ of sight
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
humorousadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmərəs/
full of or characterized by humor
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
in the recent past
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked after her as she sped upstairs.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
she'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
express in speech
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading He looked after her as she sped upstairs.
having a supporting base
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
carry out
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading Now for the first time she knew the reason for his change of manner lately, for that bustle about trivial affairs when she was near, that averted eye when she was fond and humorous.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
on a floor above
From this reading He looked after her as she sped upstairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
at the time that
From this reading Her father was at the door when she went in.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading “I wonder how she’ll take it?” he said to himself, greatly perplexed.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading She went past him, unable to speak more than an indifferent word, and great was his relief at that, for he had been standing there bracing his courage to consult her on what she must be told of sooner or later.
