used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
apprehensionsnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃənz/
plural of “apprehension” — fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading His keen judgment, however, fought his apprehensions.
assailverbUS /əˈseɪl/
attack someone physically or emotionally
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
bendableadjective
capable of being bent or flexed or twisted without breaking
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
capriciousadjectiveUS /kəˈprɪʃəs/
changeable
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
fickleadjectiveUS /ˈfɪkəl/
marked by erratic changeableness in affections or attachments
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading His keen judgment, however, fought his apprehensions.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
Gaston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His keen judgment, however, fought his apprehensions.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading His keen judgment, however, fought his apprehensions.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
inappropriatenessnoun
inappropriate conduct
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
inwardlyadverbUS /ˈɪnwərdli/
with respect to private feelings
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading His keen judgment, however, fought his apprehensions.
and nothing more
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading His keen judgment, however, fought his apprehensions.
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 He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
immediately past
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
Lydie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
obstinacynounUS /ˈɑːbstənəsi/
the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
on one occasion
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
one of four equal parts
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
unusual or striking
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
Stainville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
unlikeadjectiveUS /ənˈlaɪk/
marked by dissimilarity
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
weakeradjectiveUS /ˈwiːkər/
comparative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading For the last quarter of an hour of this weary waiting, anxiety began to assail him.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He knew quite well that Lydie was unlike other women, at once stronger and weaker than those of her own sex, more firm in her purpose, less bendable in her obstinacy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Women were so fickle and so capricious! which remark inwardly muttered came with singular inappropriateness from Gaston de Stainville.
showing curiosity
From this reading A FAREWELL Gaston de Stainville had been sitting idly on the garden seat, vaguely wondering why Lydie was so long absent, ignorant of course of the acute crisis through which she had just passed.
