not being in a specified place
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INVITATION.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
aunt'snounUS /ænts/
possessive form of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
travel across or pass over
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
depressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈprest/
lower than previously
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
in or to another place
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
extractingverbUS /ekˈstræktɪŋ/
-ing form of “extract” — remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
inquiringlyadverb
in an inquiring manner
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading AN INVITATION.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
JacinthnounUS /ˈdʒæsɪnθ/
a red transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone
From this reading Jacinth was quick of observation.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
monosyllables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading Jacinth was quick of observation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jacinth was quick of observation.
on one occasion
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
and nothing more
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Jacinth was quick of observation.
on the contrary
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
unusual or striking
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
two times
From this reading She glanced at Frances once or twice inquiringly, then she tried to draw her into the conversation, but only succeeded in extracting monosyllables in reply.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading They had not been many minutes seated at table before it struck her that Frances was unusually silent--or rather, absent and preoccupied, for the mere fact of her not speaking much in her aunt's presence was not remarkable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jacinth was quick of observation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Still her sister did not look depressed, certainly not cross; it was much more as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
