Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

in an adequate manner or to an adequate degree

From this reading “Say, Young Lady,” a voice which adequately represented the figure broke in, “_you_, aren't French, are you?”

anew

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “Say, Young Lady,” a voice which adequately represented the figure broke in, “_you_, aren't French, are you?”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Say, Young Lady,” a voice which adequately represented the figure broke in, “_you_, aren't French, are you?”

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

a name given to a product or service

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

in a courageous manner

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

lacking funds

From this reading “Say, Young Lady,” a voice which adequately represented the figure broke in, “_you_, aren't French, are you?”

of large size for its weight

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

elegant and stylish

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

intentionally conceived

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

in an abundant manner

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

a man from your own country

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

requiring more than usually expected or thought due; especially great patience and effort and skill

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

border consisting of anything placed on the edge to finish something (such as a fringe on clothing or on a rug)

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

a boy or man

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading “Say, Young Lady,” a voice which adequately represented the figure broke in, “_you_, aren't French, are you?”

informal intensifiers

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

of or pertaining to Gaul or the Gauls

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

in a helpless manner

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

a polite name for any woman

From this reading “Say, Young Lady,” a voice which adequately represented the figure broke in, “_you_, aren't French, are you?”

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

(ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

represented accurately or precisely

From this reading “Say, Young Lady,” a voice which adequately represented the figure broke in, “_you_, aren't French, are you?”

cut with a saw

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

express in words

From this reading “Say, Young Lady,” a voice which adequately represented the figure broke in, “_you_, aren't French, are you?”

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

express in speech

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

having a supporting base

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

with a sneer; in an uncomplimentary sneering manner

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

in or at that place or location

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

of or concerning this or that

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading She was never so conscious of the truly American quality of her French as when a countryman was at hand.

to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

not tied

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

at the time that

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

which person or people

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And so, feeling her French was being compared, not with mere French itself, but with an arrogant new American brand thereof, she moved a little around the corner of the counter and began again in lower voice:

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The French themselves had an air of “How marvellously you speak!” but fellow Americans listened superciliously in an “I can do better than that myself” manner which quite untied the Gallic twist in one's tongue.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading “N'avez-vous pas--” she was bravely demanding of the clerk when she saw that the bulky American who was standing there helplessly dangling two flaming red silk stockings which a copiously coiffured young woman assured him were _bien chic_ was edging nearer her.