used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Were the eyes smiling _at_, or _with_ her?
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
decorousadjectiveUS /ˈdekərəs/
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
declare untrue; contradict
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
From this reading In that distinction lay a question in morals.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In that distinction lay a question in morals.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
moralsnounUS /ˈmɔːrəlz/
motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
From this reading In that distinction lay a question in morals.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Were the eyes smiling _at_, or _with_ her?
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
Patricia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading In that distinction lay a question in morals.
with speed
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
sedatelyadverbUS /sɪˈdeɪtli/
in a sedate manner
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Were the eyes smiling _at_, or _with_ her?
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
sun-bleached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
precisely as stated
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
at the time that
From this reading And when she raised her own to look quite through and beyond the opposite bench, her conscience refused to deny that she had enjoyed the looking.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A pleasant face it was, upon which, to her surprise, a smile very suddenly grew into being as though in response to her own.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Were the eyes smiling _at_, or _with_ her?
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
but in spite of that
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Patricia's eyes dropped quickly--sedately, as became those of a decorous woman, and yet in that brief second in which the eyes of the tall young man met hers, she had noticed that they were gray, as though sun-bleached, but very clear and sparkling.
