used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
alarmingadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/
frightening because of an awareness of danger
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
amber-colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
any thing at all
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
AphroditenounUS /ˌæfrəˈdaɪti/
goddess of love and beauty and daughter of Zeus in ancient mythology; identified with Roman Venus
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading One bare arm needed to be raised, the other to be lowered.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
completely unclothed
From this reading One bare arm needed to be raised, the other to be lowered.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading One bare arm needed to be raised, the other to be lowered.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
put or send forth
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
having the place or position changed
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
Follett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
garlandverbUS /ˈɡɑːrlənd/
adorn with bands of flowers or leaves
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
the act of departing
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
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 Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
hintsnounUS /hɪnts/
plural of “hint” — an indirect suggestion
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
improprietynounUS /ˌɪmprəˈpraɪəti/
an improper demeanor
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
Jennie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
set down according to a plan
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading One bare arm needed to be raised, the other to be lowered.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
the force of workers available
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading One bare arm needed to be raised, the other to be lowered.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading One bare arm needed to be raised, the other to be lowered.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
pagannounUS /ˈpeɪɡən/
a person who does not acknowledge your god
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
peplumnoun
a flared ruffle attached to the waistline of a dress or jacket or blouse
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
a human being
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
plasterverbUS /ˈplæstər/
apply a heavy coat to
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
pretexts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading One bare arm needed to be raised, the other to be lowered.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
tissue-paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The pretexts were obvious, and, in the case of one of the young men, were backed by what might have been called professional necessity.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
white-cotton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jennie Follett, in a Greek peplum of white-cotton cloth, her amber-colored hair drawn into a loose Greek knot, was on her knees before a plaster cast of Aphrodite, to which she was holding up a garland of tissue-paper flowers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Meanwhile there was that going on which would have disturbed both these elderly men had they known anything about it.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading While there was nothing alarming in this pagan act, the freedom with which two young men laid hands on her little person threw out hints of impropriety.
