used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
analysisnounUS /əˈnæləsəs/
an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
ChesternounUS /ˈtʃestər/
a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
DAYBREAKnounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
disarmedverbUS /dɪˈsɑːrmd/
past form of “disarm” — remove offensive capability from
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
FaynounUS /feɪ/
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had received the surprise of his life without showing it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had received the surprise of his life without showing it.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sir Richard, old in the ways of the world, had managed the meeting.
IsaacsnounUS /ˈaɪzɪks/
plural of “isaac” — (Old Testament) the second patriarch; son of Abraham and Sarah who was offered by Abraham as a sacrifice to God; father of Jacob and Esau
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had received the surprise of his life without showing it.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He had received the surprise of his life without showing it.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Sir Richard, old in the ways of the world, had managed the meeting.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading Sir Richard, old in the ways of the world, had managed the meeting.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Sir Richard, old in the ways of the world, had managed the meeting.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
plaidnounUS /plæd/
a cloth having a crisscross design
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
quizzicaladjectiveUS /ˈkwɪzəkəl/
playfully vexing (especially by ridicule)
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading He had received the surprise of his life without showing it.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir Richard, old in the ways of the world, had managed the meeting.
Saidee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading He had received the surprise of his life without showing it.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir Richard, old in the ways of the world, had managed the meeting.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading He had received the surprise of his life without showing it.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
swiftnessnounUS /ˈswɪftnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He stared at her with a quizzical smile that illumined his keen features and disarmed suspicion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT DAYBREAK Chester Fay had the saving grace of lightning analysis.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Sir Richard, old in the ways of the world, had managed the meeting.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The sweep of his plaid cap, as he bowed to Saidee Isaacs and straightened himself with lithe swiftness, had allowed him time to piece together a number of things.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He had received the surprise of his life without showing it.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Sir Richard, old in the ways of the world, had managed the meeting.
