used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Her appearance was scarcely that of the keeper of an illicit gaming-house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
chattingverbUS /ˈtʃætɪŋ/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
dashingadjectiveUS /ˈdæʃɪŋ/
lively and spirited
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
opinion or judgment
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
fair-hairedadjective
favorite
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
gaming-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her appearance was scarcely that of the keeper of an illicit gaming-house.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
illicitadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlɪsət/
contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention
From this reading Her appearance was scarcely that of the keeper of an illicit gaming-house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
jewellerynoun
an adornment (as a bracelet or ring or necklace) made of precious metals and set with gems (or imitation gems)
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
keepernounUS /ˈkiːpər/
someone in charge of other people
From this reading Her appearance was scarcely that of the keeper of an illicit gaming-house.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
the force of workers available
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
profuseadjectiveUS /prəˈfjuːs/
produced or growing in extreme abundance
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
PUZZLEverbUS /ˈpʌzəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
with speed
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
only a very short time before
From this reading Her appearance was scarcely that of the keeper of an illicit gaming-house.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Upon his face was a dark, anxious look, an expression such as I had never before seen upon his countenance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Perhaps he was jealous of the attention shown by that dozen or so of men who were chatting and laughing with her.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
which person or people
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
in the company of; together with
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading PIECES TOGETHER THE PUZZLE I stepped back quickly, while he, with eyes fixed upon that fair-haired woman, who seemed the centre of a miniature court, failed to notice me.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading One would have expected to find some fine, dashing, handsome woman, in a striking gown, and with a profuse display of jewellery.
