used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
accompanyverbUS /əˈkʌmpəni/
be present or associated with an event or entity
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
(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 But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
move towards
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
Clelia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
compactnounUS /ˈkɑːmpækt/
a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
conferencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnfərənsəz/
plural of “conference” — a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
intentionally conceived
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
contactnounUS /ˈkɑːntækt/
close interaction
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
discouragingadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɜːrədʒɪŋ/
depriving of confidence or hope or enthusiasm and hence often deterring action
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
distractingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
diversionsnounUS /dɪˈvɜːrʒənz/
plural of “diversion” — an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
at any time
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
excursionsnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒənz/
plural of “excursion” — a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
fumedadjectiveUS /fjuːmd/
(of wood) darkened or colored by exposure to ammonia fumes
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
garbnounUS /ɡɑːrb/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
hand'snounUS /hændz/
possessive form of “hand” — the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
interruptverbUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpt/
make a break in
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
intrudeverbUS /ˌɪnˈtruːd/
enter uninvited
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
the sound of laughing
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
lighternounUS /ˈlaɪtər/
a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
lutenounUS /luːt/
a substance for packing a joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious to gas or liquid
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
malicenounUS /ˈmæləs/
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
not any; not one
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
on one occasion
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
and nothing more
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
peasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/
a country person
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
personalitiesnounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈnælɪtiz/
plural of “personality” — the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
by chance
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
prolongverbUS /prəˈlɔːŋ/
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
refusingverbUS /rəˈfjuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
resistingverbUS /rɪˈzɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “resist” — elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
riftnounUS /rɪft/
a gap between cloud masses
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
statusnounUS /ˈstætəs/
the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Possibly Clelia fumed with him—I was afraid of that—and it was the only rift in the lute.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
Thusis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
topicsnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪks/
plural of “topic” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Every morning I tried to prolong that business interview with Thusis,—she looked so distractingly pretty in her peasant garb.
unconventionaladjectiveUS /ˌʌnkənˈvenʃənəl/
not conforming to accepted rules or standards
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
precisely as stated
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
at the time that
From this reading For since that time when, for hours afterward, my hand remained conscious of her soft, cool hand’s light contact—since that curious compact between us which had settled her status, and my own, here under this common roof above us, she had permitted no lighter conversation to interrupt our business conferences, no other subject to intrude.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
winningadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnɪŋ/
having won
From this reading But though her gray eyes were ever on duty and her winning smile flashed now and then across the frontier of laughter, always and almost with malice, she held me to the matter of business under discussion, discouraging all diversions I made toward other topics, refusing to accompany me on gay excursions into personalities, resisting any approach toward that little spot of unconventional ground upon which we had once stood face to face.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This was a very delightful part of the day to me,—the hour devoted to business with Thusis, while Smith fumed in his room.
