Chapter XXI · A Last Word

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

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

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

a rude or vulgar fool

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

let fall to the ground

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

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

From this reading “O, Frank!” she exclaimed, and stretched herself with glistening easefulness.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading “O, Frank!” she exclaimed, and stretched herself with glistening easefulness.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading “O, Frank!” she exclaimed, and stretched herself with glistening easefulness.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

reflecting light

From this reading “O, Frank!” she exclaimed, and stretched herself with glistening easefulness.

affixed or as if affixed with glue or paste

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

compatibility in opinion and action

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

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

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

impossible to surmount

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

go away from a place

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

a brief written record

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading “O, Frank!” she exclaimed, and stretched herself with glistening easefulness.

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

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

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

plural of “package” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

loss of the ability to move a body part

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

being or affecting only a part; not total

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

past form of “persevere” — be persistent, refuse to stop

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

select carefully from a group

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

United States coloratura soprano (born in France) (1904-1976)

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

existing or coming before

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

the grammatical relation that exists when a word qualifies the meaning of the phrase

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

precisely, exactly

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

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

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

not in physical motion

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

an expert in strategy (especially in warfare)

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading “O, Frank!” she exclaimed, and stretched herself with glistening easefulness.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

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

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

up to a particular time

From this reading Still she persevered, lips counting, eyes glued to the page, pretty fingers sprawling, until a sudden laugh at the open door of the room startled her efforts into a shiver of unexpected harmony.

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

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

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

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading She looked up with a shake and a smile that suggested somehow to the observer a bird scattering water from its wings in a sunshiny basin.

in the company of; together with

From this reading To pick up one note with her was, like the clown with the packages, to drop half a dozen others; to give its proper value to the right hand was to leave the left struggling in a partial paralysis.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Miss Kennett, still in process of qualifying herself for a musician, was at work on Czerny’s fifth exercise, which, like the _pons asinorum_ of an earlier strategist, could present an insuperable problem to an intelligence already painful master of the four preceding.