used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
cankernounUS /ˈkæŋkər/
a fungal disease of woody plants that causes localized damage to the bark
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
cushionsnounUS /ˈkʊʃənz/
plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
diaphanousadjectiveUS /daɪˈæfənɪs/
so thin as to transmit light
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
draperiesnounUS /ˈdreɪpəriz/
plural of “drapery” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
divisible by two
From this reading Quelch's eyes told her even more than the mirror.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Quelch's eyes told her even more than the mirror.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
gladnessnoun
experiencing joy and pleasure
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Quelch's eyes told her even more than the mirror.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
and nothing more
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
keen-nosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
MadonnanounUS /məˈdɑːnə/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
most important element
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Quelch's eyes told her even more than the mirror.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Quelch's eyes told her even more than the mirror.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
not any; not one
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
and nothing more
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
perusalnounUS /pərˈuːzəl/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
Quelch's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Quelch's eyes told her even more than the mirror.
racingnounUS /ˈreɪsɪŋ/
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
cut with a saw
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
silveryadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlvəri/
resembling or reminiscent of silver
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
sleekadjectiveUS /sliːk/
well-groomed and neatly tailored; especially too well-groomed
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
having a supporting base
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Quelch's eyes told her even more than the mirror.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Quelch's eyes told her even more than the mirror.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Quelch's eyes told her even more than the mirror.
unfeignedadjective
not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
a vivid mental image
From this reading Neither he nor any one else could have guessed from outward and visible signs that the sweet vision in diaphanous draperies of Madonna blue carried a canker at her heart--a canker in a little silk bag.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The racing car was at the door--a keen-nosed silvery affair, with no seats, only flat cushions of sleek grey silk.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As she came down the main stairway, she saw him standing in the hall, reading a letter which had just been handed to him from the office.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Its perusal seemed to afford him pleasure, but nothing like the unfeigned gladness with which he looked up at her.
