used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
attirenounUS /əˈtaɪər/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
bleachedadjectiveUS /bliːtʃt/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading Peter closed the door and shot the bolt.
calmnessnounUS /ˈkɑːmnəs/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Peter closed the door and shot the bolt.
power to direct or determine
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
characterized by great determination
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Peter closed the door and shot the bolt.
embarrassedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈberəst/
feeling or caused to feel ill at ease or self-conscious or ashamed
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
flutterverbUS /ˈflʌtər/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
a young female
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
hissedverbUS /hɪst/
past form of “hiss” — make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
humiliatedadjectiveUS /hjuːˈmɪlieɪtɪd/
subdued or brought low in condition or status
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
JapanesenounUS /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
a native or inhabitant of Japan
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
negligeenoun
a loose dressing gown for women
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Peter closed the door and shot the bolt.
a light shade of red
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
revealingadjectiveUS /rɪˈviːlɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Peter closed the door and shot the bolt.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A match hissed; the flame of the lamp rose up slowly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She went to the couch and faced him, while an attempt at calmness and a determined fear struggled to control her expression.
a Caucasian
From this reading Her attire was negligee, of pink Japanese silk, open at the throat, and revealing a neck and shoulders as white and smooth as bleached ivory.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a flutter of skirts the girl followed, her head inclined, as though she was humiliated or greatly embarrassed.
