used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
anklenounUS /ˈæŋkəl/
a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
for the reason that
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
dance-music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
put on clothes
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
at any time
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
flowedverbUS /floʊd/
past form of “flow” — move or progress freely as if in a stream
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
gaitnounUS /ɡeɪt/
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
girlishadjectiveUS /ˈɡɜːrlɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young girl
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
only a very short time before
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
immediately past
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
and nothing more
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
peculiaritynounUS /pɪˌkjuːliˈerəti/
an odd or unusual characteristic
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
provincialadjectiveUS /prəˈvɪnʃəl/
of or associated with a province
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
prownounUS /praʊ/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
on the contrary
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
remarkingverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
cut with a saw
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
sergenounUS /sɜːrdʒ/
a twilled woolen fabric
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
simplicitynounUS /sɪmˈplɪsəti/
the quality of being simple or uncompounded
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Stephen noticed this rather interesting peculiarity, remarking it more definitely because of the almost mean simplicity of the blue serge dress.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
wearernounUS /ˈwerər/
a person who wears or carries or displays something as a body covering or accessory
From this reading It was of provincial cut, and looked as if the wearer might have bought it ready made in some country town.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At last she turned, not to look at him, but to pace back and forth as others were pacing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
white-frothing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was in front of Stephen, and he saw only her back, which seemed more girlish than ever as she walked with a light, springing step, that might have kept time to some dainty dance-music which only she could hear.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Her short dress, of hardly more than ankle length, flowed past her slender shape as the black, white-frothing waves flowed past the slim prow of the boat; and there was something individual, something distinguished in her gait and the bearing of her head on the young throat.
