used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was Sunday afternoon before I had an opportunity to speak to Jean.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was Sunday afternoon before I had an opportunity to speak to Jean.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
bronzenounUS /brɑːnz/
an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
burnishedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
burstsnounUS /bɜːrsts/
plural of “burst” — the act of exploding or bursting
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
canopynounUS /ˈkæn.ə.pi/
An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
complacencynounUS /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
coppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
curvesnounUS /kɜːrvz/
plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
entrancingadjective
capturing interest as if by a spell
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
franklyadverbUS /ˈfræŋkli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
in a gradual manner
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
girlishnessnoun
being characteristic of a girl
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
the act of giving
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
coins made of gold
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was Sunday afternoon before I had an opportunity to speak to Jean.
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 We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
huesnounUS /hjuːz/
plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Sunday afternoon before I had an opportunity to speak to Jean.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
Jean'snounUS /dʒiːnz/
possessive form of “jean” — a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
set down according to a plan
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It was Sunday afternoon before I had an opportunity to speak to Jean.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
proposalnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
possessing material wealth
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
secludedadjectiveUS /sɪˈkluːdɪd/
hidden from general view or use
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
express in speech
From this reading It was Sunday afternoon before I had an opportunity to speak to Jean.
strollingverbUS /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading It was Sunday afternoon before I had an opportunity to speak to Jean.
the rays of the sun
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
at the time that
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
in the company of; together with
From this reading When I laid the proposal before Marjorie, she listened with a complacency which suggested that the idea was not entirely new to her.
womanhoodnounUS /ˈwʊmənhʊd/
the state of being an adult woman
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
showing curiosity
From this reading She was seventeen now, and my wondering eyes had of late beheld her trim girlishness giving way to the first entrancing curves of womanhood.
woodlandnounUS /ˈwʊdlænd/
land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading We were strolling in secluded paths by the river, with bursts of autumn sunshine falling through a gently rustling canopy of gold and bronze and burnished copper and playing the rich hues of the woodland colors across the radiant mass of Jean's fair hair.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I will go and keep house for you," she said, frankly, "if Jack and Jean go too."
