used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading This attention was certainly not discouraged by Iris Vincent.
avertedverbUS /əˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “avert” — prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This attention was certainly not discouraged by Iris Vincent.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading This attention was certainly not discouraged by Iris Vincent.
chatsnounUS /tʃæts/
plural of “chat” — an informal conversation
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
cleverlyadverbUS /ˈklevərli/
in a clever manner
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
contretempsnounUS /ˈkɑːntrətemps/
an awkward clash
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
discouragedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɜːrədʒd/
made less hopeful or enthusiastic
From this reading This attention was certainly not discouraged by Iris Vincent.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
Dorothy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
edgedadjectiveUS /edʒd/
having a specified kind of border or edge
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
divisible by two
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
fianceenounUS /fiˈænsi/
a woman who is engaged to be married
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
GablesnounUS /ˈɡeɪbəlz/
plural of “gable” — the vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
a young female
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
the act of giving
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
having or deserving or conferring glory
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
in a gradual manner
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
IrisnounUS /ˈaɪrəs/
plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
KendalnounUS /ˈkendəl/
a green dye, often used to color cloth, which is obtained from the woad plant
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
a unit of instruction
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
for more time
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
established beyond doubt
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
raptures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
recklessadjectiveUS /ˈrekləs/
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
resentmentnounUS /rɪˈzentmənt/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
restraintnounUS /rɪˈstreɪnt/
the act of controlling by restraining someone or something
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He smiled to see her go in raptures over everything in and about Gray Gables, and she, with her glorious dark eyes, always smiled back at him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
Vincent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
be dressed in
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their chats grew longer and more frequent; they were fast becoming excellent friends.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
at the time that
From this reading He was a little careful of what he said to Iris for the next few days, when Dorothy was present; but gradually this restraint began to wear off, and he grew to be almost reckless in the way he laughed and carried on with the girl, even though his _fiancee_ was in the room.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The _contretemps_ which had been so cleverly averted--of giving the pony, Black Beauty, to Miss Vincent, and Dorothy's keen resentment--should have proved a lesson to Harry Kendal and warned him not to play with edged tools.
