used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At that instant he appeared ready for flight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that instant he appeared ready for flight.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
put or send forth
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
chucklenounUS /ˈtʃʌkəl/
a soft partly suppressed laugh
From this reading One glance at the other, and he indulged in a low chuckle.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
put on clothes
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
emergingadjectiveUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒɪŋ/
coming to maturity
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "It is you!" he exclaimed.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading At that instant he appeared ready for flight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At that instant he appeared ready for flight.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading One glance at the other, and he indulged in a low chuckle.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
indulgedverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒd/
past form of “indulge” — give free rein to
From this reading One glance at the other, and he indulged in a low chuckle.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading At that instant he appeared ready for flight.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is you!" he exclaimed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It is you!" he exclaimed.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading One glance at the other, and he indulged in a low chuckle.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
nonchalancenounUS /ˈnɑːnʃəˈlɑːns/
the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One glance at the other, and he indulged in a low chuckle.
OperanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading One glance at the other, and he indulged in a low chuckle.
pillarnounUS /ˈpɪlər/
a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading At that instant he appeared ready for flight.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
not in physical motion
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
unclasped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
a Caucasian
From this reading Despite the fact that his small white hands clasped and unclasped nervously, he was able to maintain a certain air of nonchalance until a figure, emerging from the shadow cast by a pillar, sprang toward him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It is you!" he exclaimed.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Fifteen minutes after his disappearance into the shadows, the youth, still clad in a dress suit, might have been seen walking between the massive pillars that front the Grand Opera House.
