used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
calmnessnounUS /ˈkɑːmnəs/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
compressionnounUS /kəmˈpreʃən/
an increase in the density of something
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
determine the number or amount of
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
courtesied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
courtesynounUS /ˈkɜːrtəsi/
a courteous or respectful or considerate act
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Neither spoke, neither dared to speak.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
disturbancenounUS /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/
activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
any strong feeling
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading FACE TO FACE.
formalitynounUS /fɔːrˈmæləti/
a requirement of etiquette or custom
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
a man of refinement
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
Hereward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
indicationsnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “indication” — something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
mustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither spoke, neither dared to speak.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
old-timeadjective
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
ordealnounUS /ɔːrˈdiːl/
a severe or trying experience
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
paler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
PetersburgnounUS /ˈpiːtərzbərɡ/
a town in southeastern Virginia (south of Richmond); scene of heavy fighting during the American Civil War
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
express in speech
From this reading Neither spoke, neither dared to speak.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Neither spoke, neither dared to speak.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
possessing sweep
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FACE TO FACE.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
Volaski
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was as much as each could do to maintain a conventional calmness through the terrible ordeal of such an introduction.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
whirlwindnounUS /ˈwɜːrlwɪnd/
a more or less vertical column of air whirling around itself as it moves over the surface of the Earth
From this reading The gentleman bowed low; the lady courtesied; nothing but the close compression of his lips beneath the golden mustache, and the paler shade on her pale cheeks, betrayed the "whirlwind of emotion" which swept through both their hearts; and these indications of disturbance were too slight to attract any attention.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Madame, permit me to present to you Count de Volaski, of St. Petersburg--Count, the Duchess of Hereward," said Lord C., with old-time courtesy and formality.
