used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
absentlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
anew
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
a quantity of money
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
Baverstock's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "She be the very pictur' of her mother."
beadyadjectiveUS /ˈbiːdi/
small and round and shiny like a shiny bead or button
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
clappingnounUS /ˈklæpɪŋ/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
clumsilyadverbUS /ˈklʌmsəli/
in a clumsy manner
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
dearly loved
From this reading "Dear, yes," she said.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
let fall to the ground
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
brought together in one place
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
a young female
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
intuitionnounUS /ˌɪntuːˈɪʃən/
instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
and nothing more
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
a particular point in time
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
momentarilyadverbUS /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/
for an instant or moment
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "She be the very pictur' of her mother."
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
napenoun
the back side of the neck
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
pensivelyadverb
in a pensive manner
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
pictur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She be the very pictur' of her mother."
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Dear, yes," she said.
sharpenernoun
any implement that is used to make something (an edge or a point) sharper
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
precisely as stated
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
in the company of; together with
From this reading He gathered up the thick locks half absently, twisting them clumsily into a kind of knot, and, throwing back his head, surveyed her pensively for a moment; then he kissed her just at the nape of the neck, and let the curls drop again with a sigh.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Mrs. Baverstock's beady eyes became momentarily dim; she did not possess by nature a very large amount of intuition, but love is a wonderful sharpener of wits.
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading Then, suddenly bursting out laughing and clapping her hands together, "So that were the girl ye left behind ye!"
an affirmative
From this reading "Dear, yes," she said.
