used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
CatherinenounUS /ˈkæθərən/
first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
centred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
without stop or interruption
From this reading She continued looking at him, when, turning reading.
curlverbUS /kɜːrl/
form a curl, curve, or kink
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
EyrenounUS /er/
a shallow salt lake in south central Australia about 35 feet below sea level; the largest lake in the country and the lowest point on the continent
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
a long fixed look
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
in a gradual manner
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
Hareton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She continued looking at him, when, turning reading.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
not any; not one
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
penknifenoun
a small pocketknife; originally used to cut quill pens
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
by chance
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
physiognomynoun
the human face (“kisser” and “smiler” and “mug” are informal terms for “face” and “phiz” is British)
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
placiditynoun
a feeling of calmness; a quiet and undisturbed feeling
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading She continued looking at him, when, turning reading.
RochesternounUS /ˈrɑːtʃestər/
a city in western New York; a center of the photographic equipment industry
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She continued looking at him, when, turning reading.
term of address for a man
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
slyadjectiveUS /slaɪ/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
strokedverbUS /stroʊkt/
past form of “stroke” — touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
strokingnounUS /ˈstroʊkɪŋ/
a light touch with the hands
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
caught or fixed
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
happening unexpectedly
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He might have stuck a knife into her neck, she "No sir." started with such a taking....
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading She continued looking at him, when, turning reading.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "And so under the pretence of stroking and soothing me into placidity, you stick a sly penknife under my ear."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
at the time that
From this reading She continued looking at him, when, turning reading.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hareton contented himself with Mr. Rochester had been looking ... looking at Catherine instead ... at the fire, and I had been of the book.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading His attention became suddenly, he caught my gaze ... quite centred in the study fastened on his physiognomy. of her ... curls ... and perhaps not quite aware to what he did "You examine me, Miss Eyre," ... he put out his hand and said he; "do you think me stroked one curl as gently as if handsome?" it were a bird.
