aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
AnarchynounUS /ˈænərkiː/
a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)
From this reading He was face to face with the terrible woman with the terrible nick-name, the stormy petrel of Anarchy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
Arne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
Athelstane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
controllingadjectiveUS /kənˈtroʊlɪŋ/
able to control or determine policy
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
Death-in-Life
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
demureadjectiveUS /dɪˈmjʊr/
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
descriptionsnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃənz/
plural of “description” — a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
doublyadverbUS /ˈdʌbli/
to double the degree
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
Drabble's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was face to face with the terrible woman with the terrible nick-name, the stormy petrel of Anarchy.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
and nothing more
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
MallownounUS /ˈmæloʊ/
any of various plants of the family Malvaceae
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
mysteriouslyadverbUS /ˌmɪˈstɪriəsli/
in a cryptic manner
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
nick-name
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was face to face with the terrible woman with the terrible nick-name, the stormy petrel of Anarchy.
notoriousadjectiveUS /noʊˈtɔːriəs/
known widely and usually unfavorably
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
a human being
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
petrelnoun
relatively small long-winged tube-nosed bird that flies far from land
From this reading He was face to face with the terrible woman with the terrible nick-name, the stormy petrel of Anarchy.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
rulersnounUS /ˈruːlərz/
plural of “ruler” — a person who rules or commands
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
rumournounUS /ˈruːmər/
gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
safeguardnounUS /ˈseɪfɡɑːrd/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
Identical; not different.
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading He was face to face with the terrible woman with the terrible nick-name, the stormy petrel of Anarchy.
suspiciouslyadverbUS /səˈspɪʃəsli/
with suspicion
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading He was face to face with the terrible woman with the terrible nick-name, the stormy petrel of Anarchy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
not known
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
having passed out of existence
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By name she had just been made known to him as Mrs. Arne, and he now learned that she and Madame Death-in-Life--the notorious Madame Death-in-Life who was dreaded throughout Europe--were one and the same person.
which person or people
From this reading Instantly he recognized in her the newspaper descriptions of the unknown housekeeper who had vanished so mysteriously and so completely from Athelstane Place.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As Mallow, at Drabble's elbow, stared at the demure little figure clothed in black, he realized that this was the fate controlling all things in connection with the affair he had in hand.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He was face to face with the terrible woman with the terrible nick-name, the stormy petrel of Anarchy.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading At the mere rumour of her presence in their city, those in authority were wont suspiciously to look about them and doubly to safeguard their rulers.
