used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SUMMER DAY ON THE THAMES.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had but the vaguest notion of what she was really like.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
make calm or still
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A SUMMER DAY ON THE THAMES.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
at any time
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
golden-brownadjective
of brown tinged with gold
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had but the vaguest notion of what she was really like.
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 He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
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 He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He had but the vaguest notion of what she was really like.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading He had but the vaguest notion of what she was really like.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A SUMMER DAY ON THE THAMES.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
pearlyadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrli/
of a white the color of pearls
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
by chance
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
on the contrary
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He had but the vaguest notion of what she was really like.
retrousseadjective
(used of noses) turned up at the end
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
ripplingnounUS /ˈrɪpəlɪŋ/
a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
in a serious manner
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had but the vaguest notion of what she was really like.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
express in speech
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading A SUMMER DAY ON THE THAMES.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
THAMESnounUS /temz/
the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea
From this reading A SUMMER DAY ON THE THAMES.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SUMMER DAY ON THE THAMES.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
a special situation
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
communicated in words
From this reading They might be blue, gray, or green, but one thing he was sure of was that they could speak more than was ever uttered by any speech.
vaguestadjectiveUS /ˈveɪɡɪst/
superlative of “vague” — not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading He had but the vaguest notion of what she was really like.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It occurred to him as he walked down to the station--perhaps he went early on the chance of finding her there alone--that he ought seriously to study the features of this girl's face; for was there not a great deal of character to be learned, or guessed at, that way?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He had but the vaguest notion of what she was really like.
at the time that
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
a Caucasian
From this reading He knew that her teeth were pearly white when she smiled, and that the rippling golden-brown hair lay rather low on a calm and thoughtful forehead; but he had a less distinct impression that her nose was perhaps the least thing _retrousse_; and as to her eyes?
