used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading She stared at him a moment without answering.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
Catherine'snounUS /ˈkæθrɪnz/
possessive form of “catherine” — first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
ChristophernounUS /ˈkrɪstəfər/
Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then she said slowly, ‘My mother will come when she is ready.’
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
enfiladed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
a young female
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then she said slowly, ‘My mother will come when she is ready.’
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
a particular point in time
From this reading She stared at him a moment without answering.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Then she said slowly, ‘My mother will come when she is ready.’
non-stopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Then she said slowly, ‘My mother will come when she is ready.’
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She stared at him a moment without answering.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Then she said slowly, ‘My mother will come when she is ready.’
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading She stared at him a moment without answering.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
express in words
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she said slowly, ‘My mother will come when she is ready.’
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
at the time that
From this reading Then she said slowly, ‘My mother will come when she is ready.’
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
which person or people
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Then she said slowly, ‘My mother will come when she is ready.’
hope for; have a wish
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She stared at him a moment without answering.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It was intolerable to him being there alone with these two women, in the house that used to be Catherine’s, faced by the girl who was, he was certain, the living image of George, and who stood watching him with great critical eyes while the old lady enfiladed him with a non-stopping fire of God knew what.
wrist-watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘We ought to be starting,’ said Christopher, looking at his wrist-watch.
you'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘I wish you’d tell your mother,’ he said, turning with a quick movement of impatience to Virginia.
