used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
bestowedverbUS /bɪˈstoʊd/
past form of “bestow” — present
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading He was a weakly, immutable young man, sloping from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
demeritsnounUS /diˈmerəts/
plural of “demerit” — a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
descanting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
EnglishmannounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was a weakly, immutable young man, sloping from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
set up or found
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was a weakly, immutable young man, sloping from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
Giles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Giles rode over the next morning.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He was a weakly, immutable young man, sloping from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
illustratedverbUS /ˈɪləstreɪtəd/
past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
immutableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmjuːtəbəl/
not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
From this reading He was a weakly, immutable young man, sloping from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
Jocelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
Jocelyn's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
languidlyadverb
in a languid and lethargic manner
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a weakly, immutable young man, sloping from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
come together
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
a particular point in time
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Giles rode over the next morning.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Giles rode over the next morning.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
on one occasion
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Giles rode over the next morning.
repellantnoun
a compound with which fabrics are treated to repel water
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Giles rode over the next morning.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading He was a weakly, immutable young man, sloping from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
solesnounUS /soʊlz/
plural of “sol” — a colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid
From this reading He was a weakly, immutable young man, sloping from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
specklessadjective
completely neat and clean
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
systemsnounUS /ˈsɪstəmz/
plural of “system” — instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Giles rode over the next morning.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
Travis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They came forward to meet him, but he felt at once that in Jocelyn’s greeting there was something foreign to her, something almost repellant.
weaklyadverbUS /ˈwiːkli/
in a weak or feeble manner or to a minor degree
From this reading He was a weakly, immutable young man, sloping from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
which person or people
From this reading After the first moment she did not look at him; all her attention seemed bestowed upon the speech of the young Englishman, who stood, speckless, descanting upon “systems,” the demerits of which he illustrated languidly with his fingers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He found Jocelyn and Mrs. Travis in the garden of the hotel talking with a young Englishman.
