used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading “Not everything,” she calmly replied.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
CONFESSEDverbUS /kənˈfest/
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
deceivedverbUS /dɪˈsiːvd/
past form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
characterized by great determination
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading “Not everything,” she calmly replied.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
hesitationnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃən/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
Holbrook's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW MR.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
inadvertentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnədˈvɜːrtəntli/
without knowledge or intention
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
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 In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
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 SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
a particular point in time
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
a form of address for a man
From this reading HOW MR.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not everything,” she calmly replied.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
Phoebe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “Not everything,” she calmly replied.
retainverbUS /rɪˈteɪn/
hold back within
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
self-possessionnoun
the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
move stealthily
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
SPAYTHE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
stifleverbUS /ˈstaɪfəl/
suppress in order to conceal or hide
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
carry out
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SPAYTHE CONFESSED It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession.
(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 Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
but in spite of that
From this reading Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip.
