used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
agitatedadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪd/
troubled emotionally and usually deeply
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
billowsnounUS /ˈbɪloʊz/
plural of “billow” — a large sea wave
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
brimnounUS /brɪm/
the top edge of a vessel or other container
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
burnishedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
dark-grayadjective
of a dark shade of grey
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
put on clothes
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
elegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
made afraid
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
a long fixed look
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
a young female
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
haughtyadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːti/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
hoveredverbUS /ˈhʌvərd/
past form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
irrepressibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪrəˈpresəbəl/
impossible to repress or control
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
LeonnounUS /ˈliːɑːn/
a historical area and former kingdom in northwestern Spain
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
a female domestic
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
a particular point in time
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
Roy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
self-possessedadjective
in full control of your faculties
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
sixteenadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːn/
being one more than fifteen
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
somberadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːmbər/
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
a male human offspring
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading St. Leon Le Roy's quick eyes caught and held for a moment the gaze of those startled ones.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
travelingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
waveringnounUS /ˈweɪvərɪŋ/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Over the simple, short traveling dress, of plain, dark-gray material, her rich, burnished golden hair flowed in billows of brightness beneath the wide brim of her simple hat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The agitated lady and her haughty, handsome son both looked at the door with an irrepressible start.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading A sixteen year old girl was wavering on the threshold, staring into the elegant room and at the cold, curious faces of the mother and son with parted lips, and large, somber, frightened dark eyes.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A neat pretty maid hovered in the background, looking far more cool and self-possessed than her lovely young mistress.
