declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
afootadverbUS /əˈfʊt/
on foot; walking
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All was not right in the house, he knew.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
make calm or still
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
demeanournounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading He softly descended the stairs.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
divisible by two
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
extinguishingnounUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/
the act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
heelnounUS /hiːl/
the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading All was not right in the house, he knew.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
Kent-Lauriston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading All was not right in the house, he knew.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All was not right in the house, he knew.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
preserveverbUS /prəˈzɜːrv/
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
precisely, exactly
From this reading All was not right in the house, he knew.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
with low volume
From this reading He softly descended the stairs.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
unruffledadjectiveUS /ənˈrʌfəld/
free from emotional agitation or nervous tension
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was easy to preserve an unruffled demeanour before his friend, but he was far from being as calm as he appeared.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
at the time that
From this reading FACE TO FACE When Kent-Lauriston had disappeared in his bedroom, and closed the door, the Secretary, extinguishing his own candle, turned on his heel, and walked slowly back to the head of the stairs.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Some mischief was afoot, and he meant to find out what it was, even though he dared not admit to himself some of the possibilities which it suggested.
