used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
affabilitynoun
a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)
From this reading "Sorry to intrude," Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
in addition
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Sorry to intrude," Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
bereftadjectiveUS /bərˈeft/
unhappy in love; suffering from unrequited love
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The newcomer had distinctly the best of the situation.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading The newcomer had distinctly the best of the situation.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
externals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
faultsnounUS /fɔːlts/
plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
set up or found
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The newcomer had distinctly the best of the situation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Sorry to intrude," Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
introduceverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːs/
cause to come to know personally
From this reading "Mr. Tallente, will you introduce me to the lady?"
intrudeverbUS /ˌɪnˈtruːd/
enter uninvited
From this reading "Sorry to intrude," Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Mr. Tallente, will you introduce me to the lady?"
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "Sorry to intrude," Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
MillernounUS /ˈmɪlər/
United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)
From this reading "Sorry to intrude," Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
minoradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnər/
of lesser importance or stature or rank
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
a particular point in time
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Sorry to intrude," Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
newcomernounUS /ˈnuːkʌmər/
any new participant in some activity
From this reading The newcomer had distinctly the best of the situation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The newcomer had distinctly the best of the situation.
a human being
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading "Sorry to intrude," Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
sanctumnounUS /ˈsæŋktəm/
a place of inviolable privacy
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading The newcomer had distinctly the best of the situation.
SorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading "Sorry to intrude," Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
superciliousadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈsɪliəs/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
Tallente
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The newcomer had distinctly the best of the situation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
precisely as stated
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
someone who visits
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
which person or people
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Mr. Tallente, will you introduce me to the lady?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lady Jane, who, among her minor faults, was inclined to be a supercilious person, with too great a regard for externals, gazed upon this strange figure which had found its way into her sanctum with an astonishment which kept her also silent.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Tallente, who had expected a very different visitor, was for the moment bereft of words.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Mr. Tallente, will you introduce me to the lady?"
