used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
accomplishingverbUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “accomplish” — put in effect
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
cheek-bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
despairedverbUS /dɪˈsperd/
past form of “despair” — abandon hope; give up hope; lose heart
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
diligentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪlədʒəntli/
with diligence; in a diligent manner
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
elongatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlɔːŋɡeɪtəd/
drawn out or made longer spatially
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
divisible by two
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
opinion or judgment
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
Georgie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
insolubleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɑːljəbəl/
(of a substance) incapable of being dissolved
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
lengthenverbUS /ˈleŋθən/
make longer
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
likenessnounUS /ˈlaɪknəs/
similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
looking-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
Olga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
person'snounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
possessive form of “person” — a human being
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
recogniseverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
show approval or appreciation of
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
reproducedverbUS /ˌriːprəˈduːst/
past form of “reproduce” — make a copy or equivalent of
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
retainverbUS /rɪˈteɪn/
hold back within
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
sketchnounUS /sketʃ/
preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
skilfullyadverb
with skill
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
unrecognisableadjective
defying recognition as e.g. because of damage or alteration
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
precisely as stated
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
water-colournoun
water-soluble pigment
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Georgie was very busily engaged during the first weeks of December on a water-colour sketch of Olga sitting at her piano and singing.
at the time that
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Often he sat in front of his own looking-glass with his mouth open, and diligently drew his own face, in order to arrive at the principles of the changes of line which took place.
wontedadjective
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
but in spite of that
From this reading The difficulty of it was such that at times he almost despaired of accomplishing it, for the problem of how to draw her face and her mouth wide open and yet retain the likeness seemed almost insoluble.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Certainly the shape of a person's face, when his mouth was wide open altered so completely that you would have thought him quite unrecognisable, however skilfully the artist reproduced his elongated countenance, and yet Georgie could easily recognise that face in the glass as his.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Forehead, eyes and cheek-bones alone retained their wonted aspect; even the nose seemed to lengthen if you opened your mouth very wide....
