used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
anew
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
assignationnoun
a secret rendezvous (especially between lovers)
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Perhaps it would be better to do so ...
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ought I now to confess to her the impositions of which I had been guilty?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
bethought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Perhaps it would be better to do so ...
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the kiss ... would she forgive that?
cavaliernounUS /ˌkævəˈlɪr/
a gallant or courtly gentleman
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading Ought I now to confess to her the impositions of which I had been guilty?
discernedverbUS /dɪˈsɜːrnd/
past form of “discern” — detect with the senses
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Perhaps it would be better to do so ...
put on clothes
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading But the kiss ... would she forgive that?
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading Ought I now to confess to her the impositions of which I had been guilty?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
impositions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ought I now to confess to her the impositions of which I had been guilty?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
Jette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading But the kiss ... would she forgive that?
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 About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Ought I now to confess to her the impositions of which I had been guilty?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ought I now to confess to her the impositions of which I had been guilty?
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Ought I now to confess to her the impositions of which I had been guilty?
have ownership or possession of
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps it would be better to do so ...
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
shamefacedadjective
extremely modest or shy
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the kiss ... would she forgive that?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Perhaps it would be better to do so ...
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
carry out
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the kiss ... would she forgive that?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
a source of difficulty
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ought I now to confess to her the impositions of which I had been guilty?
a Caucasian
From this reading I discerned her white dress a good way off, and I almost felt inclined to hide myself, and let her take the trouble of finding me; but again I bethought me that it was not the part of the cavalier to be shamefaced in a secret assignation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading About an hour before luncheon I stole away into the wood to wait for Jette, and it was with a beating heart I listened for any approaching footsteps; had I not kissed her, I should have felt easier in my own mind.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Perhaps it would be better to do so ...
