used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
avoirdupoisnoun
a system of weights based on the 16-ounce pound (or 7,000 grains)
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
childishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
indicating a lack of maturity
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
coralnounUS /ˈkɔːrəl/
a variable color averaging a deep pink
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
dawningnounUS /ˈdɔːnɪŋ/
the first light of day
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
dearly loved
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
having the place or position changed
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
flushnounUS /flʌʃ/
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
half-parted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
half-startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
heavily-fringed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
hoopnounUS /huːp/
a light curved skeleton to spread out a skirt
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
go away from a place
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
used to form the superlative
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
questionernounUS /ˈkwestʃənər/
someone who asks a question
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
restlessnessnounUS /ˈrestləsnəs/
the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
not in physical motion
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
stupendousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
carry out
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
testingnounUS /ˈtestɪŋ/
the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
tipsnounUS /tɪps/
plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
truantnounUS /ˈtruːənt/
one who is absent from school without permission
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
uncannyadjectiveUS /ənˈkæni/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
undoingnounUS /ənˈduːɪŋ/
an act that makes a previous act of no effect (as if not done)
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
not known
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
unluckyadjectiveUS /ənˈlʌki/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
precisely as stated
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
wedding-ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
in or at the place that
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
which person or people
From this reading This most depressing reply was made with an air of conviction which greatly disturbed the fair questioner--the bride of a month--who had in a childish fit of restlessness removed her wedding-ring and was engaged testing the stupendousness of its avoirdupois on the coral tips of her dainty fingers.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The inquiry sprang with a half-startled air of surprise and alarm from a pair of pretty half-parted lips, and still more eagerly from two heavily-fringed and expressive gray eyes.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Do you think it unlucky, then, to take off one’s wedding-ring?”
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Slowly, and as if it were something uncanny, the truant hoop was slipped back to its place, as the delicate flush on the young wife’s cheek deepened with the dawning consciousness of a hitherto unknown crime.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Yes, dear, very unlucky; you ought to leave it where your husband placed it; it is like undoing the ceremony to take it off.”
