used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
agitationnounUS /ˌædʒəˈteɪʃən/
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
austereadjectiveUS /ɔːˈstɪr/
severely simple
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
complacentlyadverbUS /kəmˈpleɪsəntli/
in a self-satisfied manner
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
differencesnounUS /ˈdɪfərənsɪz/
plural of “difference” — the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading As it was, his glance swept without studying.
the head of a state government
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
missivenounUS /ˈmɪsɪv/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
MOUNTEBANKnoun
a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
pallornoun
unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
PausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
propitiatoryadjective
having power to atone for or offered by way of expiation or propitiation
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
respitenounUS /ˈrespɪt/
a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
revolvingverbUS /riˈvɑːlvɪŋ/
-ing form of “revolve” — turn on or around an axis or a center
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading As it was, his glance swept without studying.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
possessing sweep
From this reading As it was, his glance swept without studying.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
toyedverbUS /tɔɪd/
past form of “toy” — behave carelessly or indifferently
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
uppermostadjectiveUS /ˈʌpərmoʊst/
at or nearest to the top
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
under normal conditions
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it was, his glance swept without studying.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Pausing, he toyed with the missive, turning it around and around in his fingers, as if something in his thoughts were revolving with it.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading As it was, his glance swept without studying.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading THE MOUNTEBANK AND THE GOVERNOR In his hand the Governor held a paper; his usually austere face wore a slightly propitiatory expression, while the eyes he turned upon her, as slowly he entered the room, suggested a respite of differences.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Had he been more watchful of her, less bent on some matter uppermost in his mind, he could not have failed to mark the pallor of her face, or the agitation written there.
but in spite of that
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I hoped to find you here," he began complacently; "hoped that you had not yet retired."
