used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
Bancroft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
Conrad'snounUS /ˈkɑːnrædz/
possessive form of “conrad” — English novelist (born in Poland) noted for sea stories and for his narrative technique (1857-1924)
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading The fear grew on him that she had overheard the conversation and that it had left an undue impression on her mind.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
elsewhereadverbUS /ˈelswer/
in or to another place
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The fear grew on him that she had overheard the conversation and that it had left an undue impression on her mind.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
gaylyadverb
in a joyous manner
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The fear grew on him that she had overheard the conversation and that it had left an undue impression on her mind.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading The fear grew on him that she had overheard the conversation and that it had left an undue impression on her mind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The fear grew on him that she had overheard the conversation and that it had left an undue impression on her mind.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The fear grew on him that she had overheard the conversation and that it had left an undue impression on her mind.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading The fear grew on him that she had overheard the conversation and that it had left an undue impression on her mind.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
SpeculatingverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
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 Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
undueadjectiveUS /ənˈduː/
not yet payable
From this reading The fear grew on him that she had overheard the conversation and that it had left an undue impression on her mind.
uneasilyadverbUS /əˈniːzəli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
vivaciousadjectiveUS /vəˈveɪʃəs/
vigorous and animated
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After an effort to chatter gayly she grew quiet--to her father's surprise, for she was ordinarily a vivacious companion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE EVIL THAT MEN DO Lucy Bancroft and her father were unusually silent as they drove toward home.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Speculating uneasily whether or not she had heard Conrad's story, and reassuring himself that it could mean nothing to her in any event, he made several efforts to draw her into speech.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But she answered with her mind so evidently intent elsewhere that he gave up the attempt.
