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 Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

in an adequate manner or to an adequate degree

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

in addition

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

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

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

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

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

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

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

genuinely; with authority

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

a person with dark (brown) hair

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

past form of “complain” — express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

the coloring of a person's face

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

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

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

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

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

in a delicate manner

From this reading Her features were delicately regular, and her hands and feet perfection.

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

plural of “eyelash” — any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading Her features were delicately regular, and her hands and feet perfection.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Her features were delicately regular, and her hands and feet perfection.

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

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

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

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 Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Her features were delicately regular, and her hands and feet perfection.

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

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

a red transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

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

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

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 Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

and nothing more

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

the state of being without a flaw or defect

From this reading Her features were delicately regular, and her hands and feet perfection.

plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

on the contrary

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle

From this reading Her features were delicately regular, and her hands and feet perfection.

located far away spatially

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

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

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

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

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

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

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

toned down

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

(of a woman or girl) slender and graceful like a sylph

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

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

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

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

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind

From this reading Like all really uncommon beauties, Hyacinth could only be adequately described by the most hackneyed phrases.

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

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money

From this reading Then, her mouth was really shaped like a Cupid's bow, and her teeth _were_ dazzling; also she had a wealth of dense, soft, brown hair and a tall, sylphlike, slimly-rounded figure.

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

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.

a Caucasian

From this reading Her complexion was extremely fair, so she was not a brunette; some remote Spanish ancestor on her mother's side was, however, occasionally mentioned as an apology for a type and a supple grace sometimes complained of by people with white eyelashes as rather un-English.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her eyes were authentically sapphire-coloured; brilliant, frank eyes, with a subtle mischief in them, softened by the most conciliating long eyelashes.