used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
Algernon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
BethunenounUS /bəˈθjuːn/
United States educator who worked to improve race relations and educational opportunities for Black Americans (1875-1955)
From this reading Bethune had no laugh for her: his heart was sore.
brought into existence
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
brethrennounUS /ˈbreðrən/
(plural) the lay members of a male religious order
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
brevitynounUS /ˈbrevəti/
the use of brief expressions
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
brieflyadverbUS /ˈbriːfli/
for a short time
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading The dimple went out of her cheek, the spring from her step.
concisenessnoun
terseness and economy in writing and speaking achieved by expressing a great deal in just a few words
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
detainverbUS /dɪˈteɪn/
deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
dimplenounUS /ˈdɪmpəl/
a chad that has been punched or dimpled but all four corners are still attached
From this reading The dimple went out of her cheek, the spring from her step.
divine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
endeavournounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading She was quick to feel the shadow of his thoughts.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
fish-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bethune had no laugh for her: his heart was sore.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The dimple went out of her cheek, the spring from her step.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading For once the girl’s mood jarred on him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Bethune had no laugh for her: his heart was sore.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For once the girl’s mood jarred on him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bethune had no laugh for her: his heart was sore.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
intonationnounUS /ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/
rise and fall of the voice pitch
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
jarredverbUS /dʒɑːrd/
inflected form of “jar” — be incompatible; be or come into conflict
From this reading For once the girl’s mood jarred on him.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Bethune had no laugh for her: his heart was sore.
for more time
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
mimicnounUS /ˈmɪmɪk/
someone who mimics (especially an actor or actress)
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading For once the girl’s mood jarred on him.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
not any; not one
From this reading Bethune had no laugh for her: his heart was sore.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For once the girl’s mood jarred on him.
on one occasion
From this reading For once the girl’s mood jarred on him.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The dimple went out of her cheek, the spring from her step.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading She was quick to feel the shadow of his thoughts.
ReverendnounUS /ˈrevərənd/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading She was quick to feel the shadow of his thoughts.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
for a short time
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
hurting
From this reading Bethune had no laugh for her: his heart was sore.
the season of growth
From this reading The dimple went out of her cheek, the spring from her step.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The dimple went out of her cheek, the spring from her step.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She was quick to feel the shadow of his thoughts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
precisely as stated
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The dimple went out of her cheek, the spring from her step.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
the words that are spoken
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She opened her bright eyes very wide and made a fish-like mouth in imitation of the Reverend Algernon: "And now, brethren, shortly, briefly, and in a few words, not wishing to detain you longer, I will endeavour to set before you with conciseness and brevity."—She was a born mimic, and had caught the dreary young divine’s very intonation.
