13
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
AMIABLEadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
chamois-gloved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
emanatingverbUS /ˈeməneɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “emanate” — proceed or issue forth, as from a source
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
to come or go into
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
essencenounUS /ˈesəns/
the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
at any time
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
fashionablyadverbUS /ˈfæʃənəbli/
in a fashionable manner
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
gendernounUS /ˈdʒendər/
a grammatical category in inflected languages governing the agreement between nouns and pronouns and adjectives; in some languages it is quite arbitrary but in Indo-European languages it is usually based on sex or animateness
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
a man of refinement
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
idlernounUS /ˈaɪdələr/
person who does no work
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
irresponsibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪrəˈspɑːnsəbəl/
showing lack of care for consequences
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
jauntyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔːnti/
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
keenestadjectiveUS /ˈkiːnəst/
superlative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/
a feeling of joy and pride
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
for more time
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
not any; not one
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
oddlyadverbUS /ˈɑːdli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
a human being
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
Peyster's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
promenadenounUS /ˌprɑːməˈneɪd/
a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
with low volume
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
saunternounUS /ˈsɔːntər/
a careless leisurely gait
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
sauntering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
the season of growth
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
make square
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
strollnounUS /stroʊl/
a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
precisely as stated
From this reading He might have been the very person of agreeable, irresponsible Spring, if Spring is ever of the male gender, out for a promenade.
wandnounUS /wɑːnd/
a rod used by a magician or water diviner
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But never for longer than an instant were the frank gray eyes of this young gentleman away from the splendid stone steps, with their carved balustrade, and the fine old doorway of Mrs. De Peyster's house at No. 13 Washington Square.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It seemed most casual, the saunter of this pleasant idler; the keenest observer would never have guessed purpose in his stroll.
but in spite of that
From this reading He was fashionably but quietly dressed, and in his chamois-gloved hand he swung a jaunty wand of a cane; a slender, lithe young gentleman, with a keen face that had an oddly wide but yet attractive mouth: a young man emanating an essence of lightness both of body and of spirit.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading ENTER AN AMIABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN Half an hour earlier, across in Washington Square, a young gentleman was sauntering about taking the crisp May air.
