adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
arrivalsnounUS /ərˈaɪvəlz/
plural of “arrival” — accomplishment of an objective
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her companion, however, as he recognised Francis hesitated.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
austereadjectiveUS /ɔːˈstɪr/
severely simple
From this reading His expression of somewhat austere gloom was lightened.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A pleasant but tentative smile parted his lips.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
carelessadjectiveUS /ˈkerləs/
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
coldlyadverbUS /ˈkoʊldli/
lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
companionnounUS /kəmˈpænjən/
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Her companion, however, as he recognised Francis hesitated.
concerningverbUS /kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
detailsnounUS /dɪˈteɪlz/
true confidential information
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
dressedadjectiveUS /drest/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
expressionnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃən/
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading His expression of somewhat austere gloom was lightened.
extraordinaryadjectiveUS /ˌekstrəˈɔːrdəneri/
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
Frenchwomannoun
a person of French nationality
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
gloomnounUS /ɡluːm/
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading His expression of somewhat austere gloom was lightened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her companion, however, as he recognised Francis hesitated.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her companion, however, as he recognised Francis hesitated.
hesitatedverbUS /ˈhezɪteɪtɪd/
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading Her companion, however, as he recognised Francis hesitated.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
holdingnounUS /ˈhoʊldɪŋ/
the act of retaining something
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Her companion, however, as he recognised Francis hesitated.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
lightenedverbUS /ˈlaɪtənd/
past form of “lighten” — make more cheerful
From this reading His expression of somewhat austere gloom was lightened.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
lipsnounUS /lɪps/
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading A pleasant but tentative smile parted his lips.
LouisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
partedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːrtɪd/
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading A pleasant but tentative smile parted his lips.
passverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
pilotedverbUS /ˈpaɪlətɪd/
past form of “pilot” — operate an airplane
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading A pleasant but tentative smile parted his lips.
reachverbUS /riːtʃ/
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading Her companion, however, as he recognised Francis hesitated.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
smileverbUS /smaɪl/
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A pleasant but tentative smile parted his lips.
somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading His expression of somewhat austere gloom was lightened.
speculatingverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
tentativeadjectiveUS /ˈtentətɪv/
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
From this reading A pleasant but tentative smile parted his lips.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
unrelievedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnriˈliːvd/
not lessened or diminished
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding.
