used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
fearless and daring
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
deliberateadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪbərət/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His eyes then fastened upon her hair.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading His eyes then fastened upon her hair.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
gun-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading His eyes then fastened upon her hair.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His eyes then fastened upon her hair.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
peernounUS /pɪr/
a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
smudges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
carry out
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading His eyes then fastened upon her hair.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The poor colour of her face and lips did not strike him at the time any more than the smudges under the merry eyes.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His eyes then fastened upon her hair.
precisely as stated
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
visitantnoun
someone who visits
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
well-built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
at the time that
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the sound of the voices outside, John William, for his part, had slipped behind the gun-room door; but he had the presence of mind not to shut it quite, and this enabled him to peer through the crack and take deliberate stock of the fair visitant.
William'snounUS /ˈwɪljəmz/
possessive form of “williams” — United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
the words that are spoken
From this reading That was John William's first impression when he came to think of it in words a little later.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She was a well-built young woman, with a bold, free carriage and a very daring smile.
