used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
BitingadjectiveUS /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
bitternessnounUS /ˈbɪtərnəs/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
bondagenounUS /ˈbɑːndɪdʒ/
the state of being under the control of a force or influence or abstract power
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading I would not let her continue to think that she was right in the guess she had made as to my emotion.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
CunninghamnounUS /ˈkʌnɪŋhæm/
United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1922)
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
Cunningham'snounUS /ˈkʌnɪŋhæmz/
possessive form of “cunningham” — United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1922)
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
dashingadjectiveUS /ˈdæʃɪŋ/
lively and spirited
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
any strong feeling
From this reading I would not let her continue to think that she was right in the guess she had made as to my emotion.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
an act that fails
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
Farnham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
the act of giving
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading I would not let her continue to think that she was right in the guess she had made as to my emotion.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
HarveynounUS /ˈhɑːrvi/
English physician and scientist who described the circulation of the blood; he later proposed that all animals originate from an ovum produced by the female of the species (1578-1657)
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
instant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
involuntarilyadverbUS /ˌɪnvoʊˈlʌntərɪli/
against your will
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
KismetnounUS /ˈkɪzmɪt/
(Islam) the will of Allah
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
the sound of laughing
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading I would not let her continue to think that she was right in the guess she had made as to my emotion.
lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/
a feeling of joy and pride
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
lipnounUS /lɪp/
either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I would not let her continue to think that she was right in the guess she had made as to my emotion.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I would not let her continue to think that she was right in the guess she had made as to my emotion.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
petulantadjectiveUS /ˈpetʃələnt/
easily irritated or annoyed
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
precisely, exactly
From this reading I would not let her continue to think that she was right in the guess she had made as to my emotion.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
carry out
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I would not let her continue to think that she was right in the guess she had made as to my emotion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
treasuredadjectiveUS /ˈtreʒərd/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
communicated in words
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
be dressed in
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
in or at the place that
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/
inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
the words that are spoken
From this reading She tried to laugh as she spoke, giving an effect of lightness to the words, but the effort was a failure.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Kismet and Miss Cunningham" Had I paused for an instant's reflection I must have felt that it would be impossible for me to take any open notice of the ring, but so great was my surprise at seeing Harvey Farnham's treasured possession on Miss Cunningham's finger that involuntarily I uttered a slight exclamation.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Biting her lip she hastily withdrew the hand, dashing the pen she had been holding with a petulant little gesture on to the desk where she had been writing.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Why do you look so astonished," she cried, a certain bitterness in her voice, "at seeing me wear the sign of my bondage?"
