used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading As to Walter Hale, he looked much the same as he always did, cool, polished, and composed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
antagonistnounUS /ænˈtæɡənəst/
someone who offers opposition
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
eagerly desirous
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading As to Walter Hale, he looked much the same as he always did, cool, polished, and composed.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading As to Walter Hale, he looked much the same as he always did, cool, polished, and composed.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As to Walter Hale, he looked much the same as he always did, cool, polished, and composed.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
EllisnounUS /ˈelɪs/
plural of “elli” — (Norse mythology) goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
the organ of sight
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
fighting-pitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
the act of departing
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
HalenounUS /heɪl/
a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As to Walter Hale, he looked much the same as he always did, cool, polished, and composed.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
Maud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
measuredadjectiveUS /ˈmeʒərd/
having notes of fixed rhythmic value
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading As to Walter Hale, he looked much the same as he always did, cool, polished, and composed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading As to Walter Hale, he looked much the same as he always did, cool, polished, and composed.
politelyadverbUS /pəˈlaɪtli/
in a polite manner
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
Identical; not different.
From this reading As to Walter Hale, he looked much the same as he always did, cool, polished, and composed.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
strungadjectiveUS /strʌŋ/
that is on a string
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading As to Walter Hale, he looked much the same as he always did, cool, polished, and composed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was carefully dressed and, as usual, had made the best of her looks, such as they were.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
which person or people
From this reading It was indeed Maud Ellis who entered on the arm of Mr. Hale.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On her entrance, she measured the lean lawyer with the eye of an antagonist, and then sat down in the chair which he politely pushed forward.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading But she appeared to be anxious--to be strung up to fighting-pitch--after the manner of a woman who anticipated that she was not going to get her own way without a battle.
