used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
acquaintanceshipnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsʃɪp/
a relationship less intimate than friendship
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At least, if not that evening, then certainly the next morning.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
behaviornounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading At least, if not that evening, then certainly the next morning.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
constraintnounUS /kənˈstreɪnt/
the state of being physically constrained
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
Covell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
Esther's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
FosterverbUS /ˈfɑːstər/
promote the growth of
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
death of a person
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
GriffinnounUS /ˈɡrɪfɪn/
winged monster with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At least, if not that evening, then certainly the next morning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading At least, if not that evening, then certainly the next morning.
a room where books are kept
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading At least, if not that evening, then certainly the next morning.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading At least, if not that evening, then certainly the next morning.
niece'snounUS /ˈniːsɪz/
possessive form of “niece” — a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At least, if not that evening, then certainly the next morning.
noticingverbUS /ˈnoʊtɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “notice” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
PrioradjectiveUS /ˈpraɪər/
earlier in time
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/
restored to a new condition
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
SeymournounUS /ˈsiːmɔːr/
Queen of England as the third wife of Henry VIII and mother of Edward VI (1509-1537)
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At least, if not that evening, then certainly the next morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading At least, if not that evening, then certainly the next morning.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
TownsendnounUS /ˈtaʊnzənd/
United States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading He did not question her concerning it; that troubled conscience of his made him not too eager to press an understanding.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Foster Townsend was noticing a change in his niece’s manner and behavior.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
at the time that
From this reading The change, it seemed to him, dated from the evening when Seymour Covell and Bob Griffin renewed their acquaintanceship in the library, when they met in his own and Esther’s presence.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Prior to that, for two weeks or more, she had been, he thought, unusually grave and quiet, and at times in her manner toward him there was--or he fancied there was--a certain constraint which he did not understand.
