used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading At a fancy dress dance at Chelsea—and he danced almost as well as Joan—he became moody.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
beadsnounUS /biːdz/
several beads threaded together on a string
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading At a fancy dress dance at Chelsea—and he danced almost as well as Joan—he became moody.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/
reveal unintentionally
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
Chelsea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a fancy dress dance at Chelsea—and he danced almost as well as Joan—he became moody.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading At a fancy dress dance at Chelsea—and he danced almost as well as Joan—he became moody.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading At a fancy dress dance at Chelsea—and he danced almost as well as Joan—he became moody.
dealtverbUS /delt/
inflected form of “deal” — act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
put on clothes
From this reading At a fancy dress dance at Chelsea—and he danced almost as well as Joan—he became moody.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
encouragementnounUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the expression of approval and support
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
experimentaladjectiveUS /ɪkˌsperɪˈmentəl/
relating to or based on experiment
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading At a fancy dress dance at Chelsea—and he danced almost as well as Joan—he became moody.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing to advantage
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
in a grave and sober manner
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
hintingverbUS /ˈhɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
Huntley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
indecisiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈsaɪsɪv/
characterized by lack of decision and firmness
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
intellectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪntəˈlektʃuːəl/
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
moodynounUS /ˈmuːdi/
United States tennis player who dominated women's tennis in the 1920s and 1930s (1905-1998)
From this reading At a fancy dress dance at Chelsea—and he danced almost as well as Joan—he became moody.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
nondescriptadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːndɪˈskrɪpt/
lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
and nothing more
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
poseverbUS /poʊz/
introduce
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
pretendingnounUS /priˈtendɪŋ/
the act of giving a false appearance
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
theorizedverbUS /ˈθiːəraɪzd/
past form of “theorize” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
undergraduatenounUS /ˌʌndərˈɡrædʒəwət/
a university student who has not yet received a first degree
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
unwittinglyadverbUS /ənˈwɪtɪŋli/
without knowledge or intention
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading He was handsome that night in black velvet and silver that betrayed much natural grace; Joan was a nondescript in black and red, with short skirts and red beads about her pretty neck.
voidadjectiveUS /vɔɪd/
lacking any legal or binding force
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Huntley’s earlier pose of an intellectual friend was attractive and flattering; then he began to betray passion, as it were, unwittingly.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading At a fancy dress dance at Chelsea—and he danced almost as well as Joan—he became moody.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
at the time that
From this reading There were moments when he seemed to be pretending to fill that oppressive void; moments when he seemed only to be hinting at himself as a possible instrument of freedom.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Joan listened to him gravely enough so long as he theorized; when he came to personal things she treated him with the same experimental and indecisive encouragement that she dealt out to her undergraduate friends.
