Chapter I

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

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

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

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

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading “Surprised at my appearance, eh?” he chuckled.

(Judaism) sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

a duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces)

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

having a back or backing, usually of a specified type

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

past form of “balk” — refuse to comply

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

with no effort to conceal

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

for the reason that

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

someone employed as an errand boy and luggage carrier around hotels

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

(fairytale) a monstrous villain who marries seven women; he kills the first six for disobedience

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

United States pioneer and hero of the Texas revolt against Mexico; he shared command of the garrison that resisted the Mexican attack on the Alamo where he died (1796-1836)

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint

From this reading “Surprised at my appearance, eh?” he chuckled.

a female human offspring

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

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

From this reading “Surprised at my appearance, eh?” he chuckled.

every person

From this reading “Everybody is.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

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

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

a young female

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

a person who makes deceitful pretenses

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

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

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

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

From this reading “Everybody is.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

befitting a woman of good breeding

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

immediately past

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

a criminal who commits homicide (who performs the unlawful premeditated killing of another human being)

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Surprised at my appearance, eh?” he chuckled.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

not any; not one

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

possessive form of “noah” — the Hebrew patriarch who saved himself and his family and the animals by building an ark in which they survived 40 days and 40 nights of rain; the story of Noah and the flood is told in the Book of Genesis

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

a mountain peak in northeast Greece near the Aegean coast; believed by ancient Greeks to be the dwelling place of the gods (9,570 feet high)

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary

From this reading Expect to see a ferocious-looking monster with a long blue beard and a bowie knife sticking out of his belt.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading “Surprised at my appearance, eh?” he chuckled.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

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

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

which person or people

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

belonging to which person

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I drew this assignment to interview the shade of Bluebeard because our girl reporter backed out at the last minute,—said she had no objection to a nice, ladylike assignment such as getting Pharaoh’s daughter to talk about Annette Kellerman or having a chat with Joan of Ark, or whatever Mrs. Noah’s name was, but she balked at calling on a wife murderer who had never been introduced.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading If I had not been warned in advance I should have thought this was surely an impostor—a barefaced one, too, for he wore no beard—to whose room I was ushered by a bellboy of the Olympus Hotel.