used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
anew
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "I never knew her to confuse the names in that way before."
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
bristleverbUS /ˈbrɪsəl/
be in a state of movement or action
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading "That shows how tired Mrs. Tabor is," he said casually.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading My first shock changed unreasonably into the feeling of a suspected conspirator.
confuseverbUS /kənˈfjuːz/
mistake one thing for another
From this reading "I never knew her to confuse the names in that way before."
conspiratornounUS /kənˈspɪrətər/
a member of a conspiracy
From this reading My first shock changed unreasonably into the feeling of a suspected conspirator.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading My first shock changed unreasonably into the feeling of a suspected conspirator.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading My first shock changed unreasonably into the feeling of a suspected conspirator.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I never knew her to confuse the names in that way before."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That shows how tired Mrs. Tabor is," he said casually.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I never knew her to confuse the names in that way before."
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That shows how tired Mrs. Tabor is," he said casually.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I never knew her to confuse the names in that way before."
a polite name for any woman
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
MEAGERadjectiveUS /ˈmiːɡər/
deficient in amount or quality or extent
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
a form of address for a man
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "That shows how tired Mrs. Tabor is," he said casually.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My first shock changed unreasonably into the feeling of a suspected conspirator.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading "I never knew her to confuse the names in that way before."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "I never knew her to confuse the names in that way before."
not any; not one
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
relaxingadjectiveUS /rɪˈlæksɪŋ/
affording physical or mental rest
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
REVELATIONSnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “revelation” — the speech act of making something evident
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "That shows how tired Mrs. Tabor is," he said casually.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading My first shock changed unreasonably into the feeling of a suspected conspirator.
plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
From this reading "That shows how tired Mrs. Tabor is," he said casually.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
believed likely
From this reading My first shock changed unreasonably into the feeling of a suspected conspirator.
TabornounUS /ˈteɪbər/
a small drum with one head of soft calfskin
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
tighteningnounUS /ˈtaɪtənɪŋ/
the act of making something tighter
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading "That shows how tired Mrs. Tabor is," he said casually.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MEAGER REVELATIONS I glanced instinctively across at Mr. Tabor, to see if he had overheard; but he gave no sign of having done so.
unreasonablyadverbUS /ənˈriːzənəbli/
not in a reasonable or intelligent manner
From this reading My first shock changed unreasonably into the feeling of a suspected conspirator.
unwaveringlyadverb
with resolute determination
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "I never knew her to confuse the names in that way before."
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
a Caucasian
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He stood with one broad hand slowly tightening and relaxing over the back of his chair, his eyes following unwaveringly the slight figure as it paused beyond the curtains and Lady let them fall into place, then he sat wearily down again, with a smile that did not smooth the white bristle of his brows.
