Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

next to; at the side of

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

terminate

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “The charm works!” said he, in a low, but emphatic whisper.

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading “The charm works!” said he, in a low, but emphatic whisper.

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

spoken with emphasis

From this reading “The charm works!” said he, in a low, but emphatic whisper.

divisible by two

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

the finger next to the thumb

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

a man of refinement

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

a young female

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

Irish mathematician (1806-1865)

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

knowledge and intellectual ability

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

a polite name for any woman

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “The charm works!” said he, in a low, but emphatic whisper.

(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

plural of “observer” — a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

on one occasion

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

in other respects or ways

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

having a point

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “The charm works!” said he, in a low, but emphatic whisper.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

an area where a number of shrubs are planted

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

to a small degree or extent

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

in a stealthy manner

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

creating an unfavorable or neutral first impression

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

not seen or perceived

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

during the time that

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading “The charm works!” said he, in a low, but emphatic whisper.

which person or people

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

in the company of; together with

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading His features wore even an ominous, though somewhat mirthful expression, while he pointed his long forefinger at the girl, and seemed to regard her as a creature completely within the scope of his influence.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading “The charm works!” said he, in a low, but emphatic whisper.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Do you know, Edward Hamilton,—since so you choose to be named,—do you know,” said the lady beside him, “that I have almost a mind to break the spell at once?

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading On a bright summer evening, two persons stood among the shrubbery of a garden, stealthily watching a young girl, who sat in the window seat of a neighboring mansion.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading One of these unseen observers, a gentleman, was youthful, and had an air of high breeding and refinement, and a face marked with intellect, though otherwise of unprepossessing aspect.