Chapter VI

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

regarded with admiration

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

earlier than; in front of

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading None came.

a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

plural of “comment” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

the head of a state government

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

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

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

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

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

beyond belief or understanding

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

and nothing more

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

immediately past

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

take the midday meal

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

a particular point in time

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

a form of address for a man

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

not one, and not any

From this reading None came.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

above and across; more than

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading As I drew the hat-pins from the admired new hat, I prepared for a hurricane of comments and questions.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

the removal of soap with clean water in the final stage of washing

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

of the blackest black; similar to the color of jet or coal

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading Talking?

travel slowly

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

shedding tears

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

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

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

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

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

used to ask for information about something

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

in or at the place that

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading I didn’t need to be told that, _from_ the moment they’d seen, out of the landing window, the last of that taxi in which the Governor and his private clerk had driven off, _to_ the moment they had heard my returning footstep on the stairs, they had done nothing _but_ talk about me and my incredible, my epic lunch.

but in spite of that

From this reading WHAT THEY SAID In the dressing-room, where Miss Robinson was rinsing out the sooty basin before washing her hands in it, Miss Holt “smarming” her hair-net down over her little brown chocolate of a head, and Miss Smith tearing yet another leaf out of the inevitable book of _papiers poudrés_, the silence that met me was quite as death-like as if the girls had just been pulled up by Mr. Dundonald’s “_Talk_-ing, ladies!”