used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
(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 CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
BarkernounUS /ˈbɑːrkər/
someone who stands in front of a show (as at a carnival) and gives a loud colorful sales talk to potential customers
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
boyish-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
camaraderienounUS /ˌkɑːmərˈɑːdəri/
the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
CARROLLnounUS /ˈkærəl/
English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
Carroll'snounUS /ˈkærəlz/
possessive form of “carroll” — English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
chattedverbUS /ˈtʃætəd/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
demeanornounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
Eric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
erstwhileadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrstwaɪl/
belonging to some prior time
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
every-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carroll was that way--he was a student of practical every-day psychology.
facialnounUS /ˈfeɪʃəl/
cranial nerve that supplies facial muscles
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
in a free manner
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
hostilitynounUS /hɑːˈstɪləti/
a hostile (very unfriendly) disposition
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
investigatornounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtər/
a scientist who devotes himself to doing research
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
involuntaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/
not subject to the control of the will
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
and nothing more
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
LeveragenounUS /ˈlevərɪdʒ/
the mechanical advantage gained by being in a position to use a lever
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
miraclesnounUS /ˈmɪrəkəlz/
plural of “miracle” — any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
nervousnessnounUS /ˈnɜːrvəsnəs/
the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
not any; not one
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Carroll was that way--he was a student of practical every-day psychology.
psychologynounUS /saɪˈkɑːlədʒi/
the science of mental life
From this reading Carroll was that way--he was a student of practical every-day psychology.
retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading Carroll was that way--he was a student of practical every-day psychology.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Carroll was that way--he was a student of practical every-day psychology.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
twitchingnounUS /ˈtwɪtʃɪŋ/
a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
unostentatiousadjective
not ostentatious
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
valetnounUS /væˈleɪ/
a manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
Warren'snounUS /ˈwɔːrənz/
possessive form of “warren” — United States writer and poet (1905-1989)
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
watchfulnessnoun
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading People had a way of talking freely to Carroll after he had chatted with them awhile, no matter how bitter the hostility surrounding their first meeting.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
in the company of; together with
From this reading CARROLL MAKES A MOVE No slightest move of Warren's erstwhile valet--no twitching of facial muscles, no involuntary gesture of nervousness, however slight--escaped Carroll's attention; but with all his watchfulness, the boyish-looking investigator was unostentatious, almost retiring in his manner.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Eric Leverage had worked with Carroll before, and he had seen the man's personal charm, his sunny smile, his attitude of camaraderie, perform miracles.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And this modest demeanor was having its effect on William Barker, just as Carroll had known it would have, and as Leverage had hoped.
