used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
bankernounUS /ˈbæŋkər/
a financier who owns or is an executive in a bank
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
BeatricenounUS /ˈbiːətrəs/
the woman who guided Dante through Paradise in the Divine Comedy
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
compromisingadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmprəmaɪzɪŋ/
making or willing to make concessions
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
permission to do something
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
convulsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
demeanornounUS /dɪˈmiːnər/
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
departingverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
the act of departing
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
DuncannounUS /ˈdʌŋkən/
United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
Duncan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
expressionsnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃənz/
plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
and nothing more
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
Langdon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
the sound of laughing
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
levitynounUS /ˈlevɪti/
feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
ludicrousadjectiveUS /ˈluːdəkrəs/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
mutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/
common to or shared by two or more parties
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
and nothing more
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
OPERAnounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
Patricia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
on the contrary
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
not in physical motion
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
surrendernounUS /sərˈendər/
acceptance of despair
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
teasingnounUS /ˈtiːzɪŋ/
the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He laughed with her, for there was a distinctly ludicrous side to the situation, following, as it did, so closely upon the announcement of his engagement to Patricia.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
in or at the place that
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
witcherynoun
the art of sorcery
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE BOX AT THE OPERA Duncan stared helplessly at the spot where the curtains had fallen together behind the departing figure of Stephen Langdon; then he turned his eyes toward Beatrice, to discover that she was convulsed with laughter.
withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/
inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading By mutual consent, they withdrew to the rear of the box, and then Beatrice, with a touch of teasing witchery in her voice and with laughter still in her eyes, asked him:
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Don't you think that this is rather a compromising situation, particularly in view of the fact that you have only just become engaged to Patricia?
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading But whether her demeanor and her quick surrender to expressions of levity had been excited by the departure of the banker, or by Duncan's attitude of dismay, the young man could not have told.
