adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
actionnounUS /ˈækʃən/
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
attitudenounUS /ˈætətuːd/
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
camp-stool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
comprehendingverbUS /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhendɪŋ/
-ing form of “comprehend” — get the meaning of something
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
controlnounUS /kənˈtroʊl/
power to direct or determine
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
culminatedverbUS /ˈkʌlməneɪtɪd/
past form of “culminate” — end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
didoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You remember my woodland didoes--I fear?"
directlyadverbUS /dərˈektli/
without deviation
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
elfinadjectiveUS /ˈelfɪn/
suggestive of an elf in strangeness and otherworldliness
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading You remember my woodland didoes--I fear?"
forearmsnounUS /fɔːˈrɑːrmz/
plural of “forearm” — the part of the superior limb between the elbow and the wrist
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
gazedverbUS /ɡeɪzd/
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
Harman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
inspireverbUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪr/
heighten or intensify
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
leaningadjectiveUS /ˈliːnɪŋ/
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
manageverbUS /ˈmænədʒ/
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
marblenounUS /ˈmɑːrbəl/
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading You remember my woodland didoes--I fear?"
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
of an obscure nature
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
railingnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading You remember my woodland didoes--I fear?"
repliedverbUS /rɪˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
returnverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
shiningadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
smiledverbUS /smaɪld/
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
SomehowadverbUS /ˈsʌmhaʊ/
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
speechnounUS /spiːtʃ/
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
thoughtfuladjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtfəl/
having intellectual depth
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
vacatedverbUS /veɪˈkeɪtɪd/
past form of “vacate” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading She smiled in a pleasant, comprehending way, but neither directly replied nor made any return speech whatever; instead, she let her forearms rest on the broad railing of the marble balustrade, and, leaning forward, gazed out over the shining and mysterious slopes below.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But perhaps I control myself better when there's no camp-stool to inspire me.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
woodlandnounUS /ˈwʊdlænd/
land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading You remember my woodland didoes--I fear?"
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Somehow it seemed to me that her not answering, and her quiet action, as well as the thoughtful attitude in which it culminated, would have been thought "very like her" by any one who knew her well.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Mrs. Harman," I said, as she took the chair vacated by the elfin young lady, "you see I can manage it!
