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 There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

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

From this reading She came in smiling, however, and kissed him quickly and warmly.

any thing at all

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

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

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

plural of “braid” — a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

a young person of either sex

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

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

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

your usual mood

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

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

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

apart from; not including

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

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

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

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

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

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

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

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

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

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

From this reading She came in smiling, however, and kissed him quickly and warmly.

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

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading She came in smiling, however, and kissed him quickly and warmly.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

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

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

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

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.

From this reading She came in smiling, however, and kissed him quickly and warmly.

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

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 Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

suggesting an unhealthy mental state

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

a loose dressing gown for women

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

a light shade of red

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

by chance

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

with speed

From this reading She came in smiling, however, and kissed him quickly and warmly.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

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

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

not often

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

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

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

move stealthily

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading She came in smiling, however, and kissed him quickly and warmly.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

a request to be present

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

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

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

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

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

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

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

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

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

-ing form of “undulate” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples

From this reading Her extraordinary hair hung down in two long braids, their blue blackness undulating among the soft folds of her thin pink negligee.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

in a hearty manner

From this reading She came in smiling, however, and kissed him quickly and warmly.

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

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

at the time that

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

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

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

a Caucasian

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading I Ruyler sighed as he heard his wife walk down the hall.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There had been a time when she came running like a child at his summons, but in these days she walked with a leisurely dignity which to his possibly morbid ear betrayed a certain crab-like disposition in her little high heels to slip backward along the polished floor.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading For the first time Ruyler realized that pink was Helene's favorite color; she seldom wore anything else except white or black, and then always relieved with pink.