used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
absent-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
abstractionnounUS /æbˈstrækʃən/
a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
BellenounUS /bel/
a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
Clair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the plump and jovial Mrs. St. Clair was not quite herself.
divisible by two
From this reading Even the plump and jovial Mrs. St. Clair was not quite herself.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Even the plump and jovial Mrs. St. Clair was not quite herself.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
jovialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊviəl/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Even the plump and jovial Mrs. St. Clair was not quite herself.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
MaidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
MotornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Even the plump and jovial Mrs. St. Clair was not quite herself.
easily agitated
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Even the plump and jovial Mrs. St. Clair was not quite herself.
being perceived or observed
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
and nothing more
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
plumpadjectiveUS /plʌmp/
sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure
From this reading Even the plump and jovial Mrs. St. Clair was not quite herself.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Even the plump and jovial Mrs. St. Clair was not quite herself.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even the plump and jovial Mrs. St. Clair was not quite herself.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
hard to endure
From this reading Her eyes had a puzzled, absent-minded expression, as if she were trying to remember something that had almost faded out of her memory.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Breakfast was late next morning, and there were some heavy eyes at the pretty table.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Belle was pale and nervous, and Mary, too, wore an anxious look on her face.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading But she forced herself to smile and talk with her young guests, and only the Motor Maids really noticed her abstraction.
