used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
eyebrowsnounUS /ˈaɪbraʊz/
plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
eyeglassnounUS /ˈaɪɡlæs/
lens for correcting defective vision in one eye; held in place by facial muscles
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
opinion or judgment
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
keenlyadverbUS /ˈkiːnli/
in a keen or penetrating way
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
conformity or harmony
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
engage in
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
MARXnounUS /mɑːrks/
United States comedian; one of four brothers who made motion pictures together (1901-1979)
From this reading MARX.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
a form of address for a man
From this reading NEWS OF MR.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
information about recent and important events
From this reading NEWS OF MR.
nonchalancenounUS /ˈnɑːnʃəˈlɑːns/
the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NEWS OF MR.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
slightly-raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
toyingnounUS /ˈtɔɪɪŋ/
playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a moment or two I remained quite silent, for the simple reason that I was far too astonished to make any remark.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
but in spite of that
From this reading My new acquaintance sat looking at me with slightly-raised eyebrows and carelessly toying with his eyeglass; yet, notwithstanding his apparent nonchalance, I felt somehow aware that he was watching me keenly.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "My name appears to be a surprise to you," he remarked, keeping his eyes fixed steadily upon my face.
