Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

speak to

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

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

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

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

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

any thing at all

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

plural of “aspect” — a distinct feature or element in a problem

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

a room used primarily for sleeping

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

reveal in private; tell confidentially

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

having gaps or spaces

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

dearly loved

From this reading “You’re not looking well to-day, dear,” her mother had said.

-ing form of “debate” — argue with one another

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

divisible by two

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

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

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

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

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

with impatience; in an impatient manner

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

past form of “lack” — be without

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading “You’re not looking well to-day, dear,” her mother had said.

a midday meal

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

come together

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

above and across; more than

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

hit lightly with a picking motion

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

Swiss hotelier who created a chain of elegant hotels (1850-1918)

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “You’re not looking well to-day, dear,” her mother had said.

express in words

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

not in physical motion

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

a group of people attractively arranged (as if in a painting)

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

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

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

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

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You’re not looking well to-day, dear,” her mother had said.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

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

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

look attentively

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading “You’re not looking well to-day, dear,” her mother had said.

at the time that

From this reading It lacked an hour of the time when she was to meet her mother at the Ritz for tea.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

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

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading She had been debating with herself whether or not to confide to her mother the story of the tragic tableau of which she had been an accidental witness, when Mrs. Strong had dashed into her bedroom to give her a hurried peck on the cheek and to say that she was off to luncheon and the matinée with Mrs. Starrett.

be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy

From this reading Her nerves still all ajangle from excitement and worry over the morning’s tragedy, and her own accidental secret knowledge of certain aspects of the case had made it wholly impossible for her to do anything that day with even simulated interest.

a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones

From this reading THE ADDRESS ON THE CARD Impatiently Jane looked at her wrist watch.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “You’re not looking well to-day, dear,” her mother had said.