used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
in the past
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
breakfast-bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
disconcertedadjective
having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
opinion or judgment
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
a long fixed look
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
indifferencenounUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns/
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
limpest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
new-comer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
not any; not one
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
punctualitynounUS /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈælɪti/
the quality or habit of adhering to an appointed time
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
on the contrary
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
Rayner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
small-talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
having a supporting base
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
steadfastadjectiveUS /ˈstedfæst/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
stranger'snounUS /ˈstreɪndʒərz/
possessive form of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
thankfuladjectiveUS /ˈθæŋkfəl/
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
a just detectable amount
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
unfailingadjectiveUS /ənˈfeɪlɪŋ/
not liable to failure
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading She had glided in like a ghost, and, without more interest in the life around her than a ghost might show, she was standing at the table, waiting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I was thankful to see that there was no trace in her eyes now of the steadfast eager gaze which had disconcerted me on the night before, nothing but the limpest indifference to me in the way in which she held out her hand when her husband introduced me.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was down in the dining-room the next morning, with the unfailing punctuality of a new-comer, at the sound of the breakfast-bell, before any one else was there.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Mr. Rayner came in in a few minutes, handsome, cheerful, but rather preoccupied; and I was listening to his bright small-talk with the polite stranger’s smile, when I discovered, without having heard any sound, that Mrs. Rayner was in the room.
a late time of life
From this reading “She must have been pretty ten years ago,” I thought, as I looked at her thin face, with the fair faded complexion and dull gray eyes.
