used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am an American."
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading "I am an American."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I am an American."
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
bright-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I do not understand French," she said, slowly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I do not understand French," she said, slowly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
conformity or harmony
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
Lucile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
a particular point in time
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I do not understand French," she said, slowly.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
a human being
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I do not understand French," she said, slowly.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading "I do not understand French," she said, slowly.
soberlyadverbUS /ˈsoʊbərli/
in a grave and sober manner
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
with low volume
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HEART OF THE MYSTERY Lucile regarded the speaker soberly for a moment.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "I do not understand French," she said, slowly.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
at the time that
From this reading Lucile had understood the softly spoken French question, but when she answered it was in the native tongue.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading She was a dainty, pretty, bright-eyed little person, with a repose of manner that seemed, somehow, out of keeping with her obvious youth.
