used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
react verbally
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
boldlyadverbUS /ˈboʊldli/
with boldness, in a bold manner
From this reading But he went boldly on: "Very serious indeed for a bride of a month's standing."
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading But he went boldly on: "Very serious indeed for a bride of a month's standing."
lacking funds
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he went boldly on: "Very serious indeed for a bride of a month's standing."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
make calm or still
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
cumbersomeadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmbərsəm/
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
encounteringverbUS /enˈkaʊntərɪŋ/
-ing form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
enigmaticaladjective
not clear to the understanding
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But he went boldly on: "Very serious indeed for a bride of a month's standing."
foreseenverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsiːn/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
set up or found
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
a long fixed look
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But he went boldly on: "Very serious indeed for a bride of a month's standing."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/
a feeling of joy and pride
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
marredadjectiveUS /mɑːrd/
blemished by injury or rough wear
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
month'snounUS /mʌnθs/
possessive form of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading But he went boldly on: "Very serious indeed for a bride of a month's standing."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
reassurancenounUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrəns/
the act of reassuring; restoring someone's confidence
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
reverienounUS /ˈrevəri/
absentminded dreaming while awake
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
sphinx-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
having a supporting base
From this reading But he went boldly on: "Very serious indeed for a bride of a month's standing."
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
steadinessnounUS /ˈstedinɪs/
freedom from wavering or indecision; constancy of resolve or conduct
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
unaccoutred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
ValkyrienounUS /ˌvælˈkiːriːə/
(Norse mythology) one of the maidens of Odin who chose heroes to be slain in battle and conducted them to Valhalla
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
precisely as stated
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But he went boldly on: "Very serious indeed for a bride of a month's standing."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
wiltedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪltɪd/
(of plants) limp due to heat, loss of water, or disease
From this reading Still she did not answer and under the steadiness of her silent gaze, his momentary reassurance wilted.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As his voice broke on her reverie, his wife started, then sat gazing at him with a sphinx-like expression in her eyes, which he found it hard to endure.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He had foreseen the possibility of encountering a woman turned Valkyrie, but was unaccoutred to face this enigmatical calm.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You are looking very serious, dearest," he declared in a tone of assumed lightness, marred by a cumbersome quality which made it grotesque.
