adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
Acasto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Acasto._--Can she not speak?
accentedadjectiveUS /ˈæksentɪd/
(used of syllables) bearing the principle stress, usually accompanied by a change in pitch
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
advantagenounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒ/
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
apprehensiveadjectiveUS /ˌæprɪˈhensɪv/
quick to understand
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
Canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading _Acasto._--Can she not speak?
CastlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/
a large and stately mansion
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
Countess's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
creaturenounUS /ˈkriːtʃər/
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
descendedverbUS /dɪˈsendəd/
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
discoursenounUS /ˈdɪskɔːrs/
extended verbal expression in speech or writing
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
ExpressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/
give expression to
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
exquisitelyadverbUS /ˌekˈskwɪzɪtli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
facultynounUS /ˈfækəlti/
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
formnounUS /fɔːrm/
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/
having or given a form or shape
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
FramedadjectiveUS /freɪmd/
provided with a frame
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
giveverbUS /ɡɪv/
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
greennounUS /ɡriːn/
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
heavennounUS /ˈhevən/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
holdverbUS /hoʊld/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
Holm-Peel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
languagenounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒ/
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
LikeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
limbsnounUS /lɪmz/
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
maiden's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
meaningnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋ/
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
motionnounUS /ˈmoʊʃən/
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
muteadjectiveUS /mjuːt/
expressed without speech
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Acasto._--Can she not speak?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
OLDadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading --OLD PLAY.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
OswaldnounUS /ˈɔːzwɔːld/
United States assassin of President John F. Kennedy (1939-1963)
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
peculiaradjectiveUS /pəˈkjuːljər/
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
Peveril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
PLAYverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading --OLD PLAY.
quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Acasto._--Can she not speak?
signnounUS /saɪn/
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
silknounUS /sɪlk/
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
sizenounUS /saɪz/
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
slightestadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪtəst/
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
soundlessadjective
marked by absence of sound
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading _Acasto._--Can she not speak?
speechnounUS /spiːtʃ/
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
starsnounUS /stɑːrz/
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
term'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
tonguenounUS /tʌŋ/
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
train-bearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
tunicnounUS /ˈtuːnɪk/
an enveloping or covering membrane or layer of body tissue
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
welladverbUS /wel/
(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 This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
well-defended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the head of the first flight of steps which descended towards the difficult and well-defended entrance of the Castle of Holm-Peel, Peveril was met and stopped by the Countess’s train-bearer.
womankindnoun
women as distinguished from men
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
wondrousadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndrəs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading _Oswald._--If speech be only in accented sounds, Framed by the tongue and lips, the maiden’s dumb; But if by quick and apprehensive look, By motion, sign, and glance, to give each meaning, Express as clothed in language, be term’d speech, She hath that wondrous faculty; for her eyes, Like the bright stars of heaven, can hold discourse, Though it be mute and soundless.
woreverbUS /wɔːr/
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading This little creature--for she was of the least and slightest size of womankind--was exquisitely well formed in all her limbs, which the dress she usually wore (a green silk tunic, of a peculiar form) set off to the best advantage.
