used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
amissadjectiveUS /əˈmɪs/
not functioning properly
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
animatedadjectiveUS /ˈænəmeɪtɪd/
having life or vigor or spirit
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
eagerly desirous
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
any thing at all
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
cautiousadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːʃəs/
showing careful forethought
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
the act of departing
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
elsewhereadverbUS /ˈelswer/
in or to another place
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
a movement into or inward
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
Esther's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
Euphrosynenoun
(Greek mythology) one of the three Graces
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
evasiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈveɪzɪv/
deliberately vague or ambiguous
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
the act of departing
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
KING'SnounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading THE KING'S WHIM.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
Michael'snounUS /ˈmaɪkəlz/
possessive form of “michael” — (Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
mountingnounUS /ˈmaʊntɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
neighbournounUS /ˈneɪbər/
a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
on one occasion
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
overclouded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
by chance
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
positivelyadverbUS /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/
extremely
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
pretendverbUS /priˈtend/
make believe with the intent to deceive
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
relieve from
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
cut with a saw
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
deliver by singing
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
carry out
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE KING'S WHIM.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
unnoticedadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊtɪst/
not noticed
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
precisely as stated
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
at the time that
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The conversation was less animated than usual this evening: Esther seemed to find a difficulty in talking and she said positively that she could not sing; and Michael was becoming quite uneasy and almost inclined to take his departure, when--whether she felt that she was not wanted or not--something or other made Euphrosyne discover, or perhaps pretend to discover, that she had something to attend to in another room.
WHIMnounUS /wɪm/
a sudden desire
From this reading THE KING'S WHIM.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
in the company of; together with
From this reading Things had been going on very pleasantly for some weeks, and Michael and his attractive little neighbour had been growing more and more intimate with each other, when one evening, on entering the room as usual, he saw at once that something was amiss; for Esther's bright face was quite overclouded, and her blue eyes looked troubled.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading How he wished the old woman would find something to look after in the kitchen or elsewhere--anything to get rid of her, if but for a few minutes!
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading But Euphrosyne was mounting guard over her young mistress as she always did, and Michael's anxious but cautious inquiries met with evasive answers, or passed unnoticed.
