used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading His amused glance lingered upon her face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
Bridewell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
disturbancenounUS /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/
activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "At first I hardly recognised you," she explained, "you don't look quite as I remembered you."
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "At first I hardly recognised you," she explained, "you don't look quite as I remembered you."
opinion or judgment
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
Gerty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
only a very short time before
From this reading "At first I hardly recognised you," she explained, "you don't look quite as I remembered you."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His amused glance lingered upon her face.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "At first I hardly recognised you," she explained, "you don't look quite as I remembered you."
illumining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
Kemper's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading His amused glance lingered upon her face.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "At first I hardly recognised you," she explained, "you don't look quite as I remembered you."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
memorableadjectiveUS /ˈmemərəbəl/
worth remembering
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "At first I hardly recognised you," she explained, "you don't look quite as I remembered you."
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading "At first I hardly recognised you," she explained, "you don't look quite as I remembered you."
To recall to mind.
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading "At first I hardly recognised you," she explained, "you don't look quite as I remembered you."
retortnounUS /ˈriːtɔːrt/
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
not in physical motion
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
moving very fast
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
Twenty-ninthadjective
coming next after the twenty-eighth in position
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His amused glance lingered upon her face.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the first glance she appeared a little startled, but the disturbance was so slight that it passed swift as a shadow across her face, and the next instant the illumining smile which he had thought of as her one memorable beauty shone from her eyes and lips.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading AN ADVANCE AND A RETREAT It was the day after this, while Laura was still in Kemper's thoughts, that he ran across her as she came out of a church in Twenty-ninth Street.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "So you did remember me?" he said and the retort was so characteristic of the man that Gerty Bridewell would have paused waiting for it after she had spoken.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "At first I hardly recognised you," she explained, "you don't look quite as I remembered you."
