Chapter VII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

placed in a grave

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

stick of wax with a wick in the middle

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "It was kind of you to come so promptly at a stranger's request," she said gently.

something that interests you because it is important or affects you

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

one of the large landmasses of the earth

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

the motion made by flapping up and down

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

set up or found

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

physically weak

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

in a gradual manner

From this reading "It was kind of you to come so promptly at a stranger's request," she said gently.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

plural of “headline” — the heading or caption of a newspaper article

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

publicly announced

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It was kind of you to come so promptly at a stranger's request," she said gently.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading "It was kind of you to come so promptly at a stranger's request," she said gently.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

a city in east-central France on the Rhone River; a principal producer of silk and rayon

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

on one occasion

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

and nothing more

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

with little or no delay

From this reading "It was kind of you to come so promptly at a stranger's request," she said gently.

inflected form of “prop” — support by placing against something solid or rigid

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

the act of reassuring; restoring someone's confidence

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

express the need or desire for

From this reading "It was kind of you to come so promptly at a stranger's request," she said gently.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It was kind of you to come so promptly at a stranger's request," she said gently.

cut with a saw

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

possessive form of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading "It was kind of you to come so promptly at a stranger's request," she said gently.

the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

having come into contact

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

at the time that

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Lyon was evidently expected, for he was conducted at once to the rooms which had been closed to him in the afternoon, and there he found Mrs. Broughton awaiting him.

belonging to which person

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading She looked so ill, so like a fluttering candle in the wind, that his concern must have betrayed itself, for she smiled at him with an air of reassurance.

showing pensive sadness

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He only saw a frail, slight, beautiful woman, with a wistful sweetness in her eyes, propped against high pillows on a couch.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He was prepared to be interested in the woman whose story had so curiously touched his own experiences, but when he came into her presence he forgot that he was before the woman whose first husband he had buried, and whose second husband was a man heralded by headlines across a continent.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "It was kind of you to come so promptly at a stranger's request," she said gently.