used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
avoidingverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
debatingverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
decidingnounUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdɪŋ/
the cognitive process of reaching a decision
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
opinion or judgment
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
ignoreverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/
refuse to acknowledge
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading May I join you?”
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
Maclaire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading May I join you?”
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
used to form the superlative
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
and nothing more
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
with speed
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
only a very short time before
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
moving very fast
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
tacticsnounUS /ˈtæktɪks/
the branch of military science dealing with detailed maneuvers to achieve objectives set by strategy
From this reading She hesitated for an instant, debating with herself, and as quickly deciding on disagreeable tactics.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
wastedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪstɪd/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
accept gladly
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
at the time that
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The opportunity thus so unexpectedly afforded was not one to be wasted, and Keith accepted it with swift determination.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
but in spite of that
From this reading The expression in the woman's face was scarcely one of welcome, yet his purpose was sufficiently serious to cause him to ignore this with easy confidence in himself.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I am, indeed, most fortunate to discover you alone, Miss Maclaire,” he said, avoiding her eyes by a swift glance over the table, “and evidently at a time when you are only beginning your meal.
