Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

keenly excited (especially sexually) or indicating excitement

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

react verbally

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

indistinct or hazy in outline

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

clothing in general

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

put on clothes

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

divisible by two

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

especially spread in a fan shape

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

plural of “illustrator” — an artist who makes illustrations (for books or magazines or advertisements etc.)

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

completely neat and clean

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

and nothing more

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

a form of address for a man

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

not any; not one

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

above and across; more than

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

try to get or reach

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

in regular succession without gaps

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

express in speech

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

having a relatively square jaw

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

being three more than thirty

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

causing a surge of emotion or excitement

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Annesley glanced up, her face aflame, like a fanned coal.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

which person or people

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading It was too good--oh, far too wonderfully good!--to be true that this man should be Mr. Smith.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading The man was tall, dark, lean, square-jawed, handsome in just that thrilling way which magazine illustrators and women love; the ideal story-hero to look at, even to the clothes which any female serial writer would certainly have described as "immaculate evening dress."

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet if he were not Mr. Smith why should he----Annesley got no farther in the thought, though it flashed through her mind quick as light.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.

somewhat young

From this reading Before she had time to seek an answer for her question the man--who was young, or youngish, not more than thirty-three or four--had bent over her as if greeting a friend, and had begun to speak in a low voice blurred by haste or some excitement.