used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A COMMONPLACE MEETING.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
the state of being absent
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
brilliancynoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
burnishedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
cactus-flower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
COMMONPLACEadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading A COMMONPLACE MEETING.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
emeraldsnounUS /ˈemrəldz/
plural of “emerald” — a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
glancesnounUS /ˈɡlænsɪz/
plural of “glance” — a quick look
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
Hermia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
lashesnounUS /ˈlæʃɪz/
plural of “lash” — any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
limpidadjective
clear and bright
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She had never looked more radiant.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading A COMMONPLACE MEETING.
MetropolitanadjectiveUS /ˌmetrəˈpɑːlətən/
relating to or characteristic of a metropolis
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had never looked more radiant.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had never looked more radiant.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
Opera-House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
overhearingverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈhiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
pomegranatenounUS /ˌpɑːməˈɡrænət/
shrub or small tree native to southwestern Asia having large red many-seeded fruit
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
pulpnounUS /pʌlp/
any soft or soggy mass
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
Quintard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading She had never looked more radiant.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had never looked more radiant.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
Suydam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He saw her first at the Metropolitan Opera-House, and, overhearing some people discussing her, followed the direction of their glances.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her hair shone across the house like burnished brass; her eyes had the limpid brilliancy of emeralds, and the black lashes lay heavy above and below them; her skin was like ivory against which pomegranate pulp had been crushed, and her mouth was as red as a cactus-flower.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
a late time of life
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading Quintard, after an absence of five years, had returned to New York to find Hermia Suydam the sensation of the year.
