used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Captain Lancaster was taken at a disadvantage.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
(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 He was not at all a vain man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Captain Lancaster was taken at a disadvantage.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Lancaster was taken at a disadvantage.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
disadvantagenounUS /ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒ/
the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
From this reading Captain Lancaster was taken at a disadvantage.
put on clothes
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
favoredadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərd/
preferred above all others and treated with partiality
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
flushnounUS /flʌʃ/
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
a young female
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
good-lookingadjectiveUS /ˈɡʊdlʊkɪŋ/
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
hastyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪsti/
excessively quick
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not at all a vain man.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
LancasternounUS /ˈlænkæstər/
a city in northwestern England
From this reading Captain Lancaster was taken at a disadvantage.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was not at all a vain man.
masculineadjectiveUS /ˈmæskjələn/
of grammatical gender
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
new-comer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not at all a vain man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
perusalnounUS /pərˈuːzəl/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
posingnounUS /ˈpoʊzɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
on the contrary
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
sneakingadjectiveUS /ˈsniːkɪŋ/
not openly expressed
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
straight-featured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Captain Lancaster was taken at a disadvantage.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not half know how fine looking he was, and his hasty perusal of the mirror was directed rather to his dress than his face.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
unbecomingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnbɪˈkʌmɪŋ/
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading He was not at all a vain man.
vanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading But as he turned about hastily and met the half smile on the lips of the new-comer, he realized instantly that his attitude had favored strongly of masculine vanity, and a not unbecoming flush mounted to his good-looking, straight-featured face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Captain Lancaster was taken at a disadvantage.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had a sneaking sense of shame in being caught posing, as it were, before the mirror by this extremely pretty girl.
