used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
abstractionnounUS /æbˈstrækʃən/
a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
having companions or an escort
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
boudoirnounUS /ˈbuːdɔɪr/
a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
make calm or still
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading On the present occasion she was reclining on her couch, with her hand shading her eyes.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
opinion or judgment
From this reading On the present occasion she was reclining on her couch, with her hand shading her eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading FACE TO FACE.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
fitsnounUS /fɪts/
plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
an established custom
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading On the present occasion she was reclining on her couch, with her hand shading her eyes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
intensifiedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtensəfaɪd/
made more intense
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
immediately past
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
not in physical motion
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
easily agitated
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
noiselessnessnoun
the property of making no noise
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading On the present occasion she was reclining on her couch, with her hand shading her eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the present occasion she was reclining on her couch, with her hand shading her eyes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
paler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading On the present occasion she was reclining on her couch, with her hand shading her eyes.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
recliningnounUS /rɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/
the act of assuming or maintaining a reclining position
From this reading On the present occasion she was reclining on her couch, with her hand shading her eyes.
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
shadingnounUS /ˈʃeɪdɪŋ/
graded markings that indicate light or shaded areas in a drawing or painting
From this reading On the present occasion she was reclining on her couch, with her hand shading her eyes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She was somewhat paler, more nervous, and less calm than she had been a few months previously.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FACE TO FACE.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
waryadjectiveUS /ˈweri/
marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Some time passed away after the conversation related in the last chapter, and one evening Hilda was in her boudoir alone, as usual.
watchfulnessnoun
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading Her usual stealthy air had now developed into one of wary watchfulness, and the quiet noiselessness of her actions, her manner, and her movements had become intensified into a habit of motionless repose, accompanied by frequent fits of deep abstraction.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the present occasion she was reclining on her couch, with her hand shading her eyes.
