used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
from appearances alone
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
deepeningnounUS /ˈdiːpənɪŋ/
a process of becoming deeper and more profound
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
elusiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈluːsɪv/
difficult to describe
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Why snow?" was her query.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
indescribableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskraɪbəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
Mariana
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
metaphornounUS /ˈmetəfɔːr/
a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
Nevins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
on one occasion
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
and nothing more
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
pervasiveadjectiveUS /pərˈveɪsɪv/
spreading or spread throughout
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
querynounUS /ˈkwiːri/
an instance of questioning
From this reading "Why snow?" was her query.
radiatingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdieɪtɪŋ/
diverging from a common point
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The only possible reason for a metaphor," he observed, "is lack of reason."
thistle-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Why snow?" was her query.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
which person or people
From this reading Mr. Paul, who apparently had been engrossed in his dinner, glanced up grimly.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why snow?" was her query.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Mariana smiled that radiating, indescribable smile which dawned gradually from within, deepening until it burst into pervasive wealth of charm.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Mr. Nevins once said to Mariana: "You are as elusive as thistle-down whipped up with snow."
