Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

giving or marked by complete attention to

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

anew

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

how long something has existed

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

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

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

of grey tinged with blue

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.

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

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

rid of obstructions

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

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

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

in a manner differing from the usual or expected

From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

the act of making up your mind about something

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

plural of “fact” — a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

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

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

a long fixed look

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

a young female

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

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 He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

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

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

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

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

and nothing more

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

inflected form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

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

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

a particular point in time

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

reduced in size as by squeezing together

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

not any; not one

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

being perceived or observed

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

(law) a broad legal concept including anything that disturbs the reasonable use of your property or endangers life and health or is offensive

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

and nothing more

From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

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

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

cut with a saw

From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

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

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

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

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Now, surprised by her courage, he regarded her curiously, and he saw that she was not only pretty, but quite beautiful.

carry out

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

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

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

in a tight or constricted manner

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

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

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

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

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

in a vague way

From this reading Of course, he had seen Celia in the corridor now and again, had noticed vaguely that his opposite neighbour was young and graceful and pretty--no man, especially one of his age, could fail to notice such palpable facts--but he had been too absorbed in his own affairs to take any interest in her.

any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

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

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading He took in the clear oval of her face, the soft waves of dark hair which garlanded the low forehead, puckered now by lines of decision, the blue-grey eyes almost violet in the intensity of her gaze, the lips which, he felt, could smile with infinite tenderness, though now set tightly.

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

From this reading It may be said that, up to that moment, he had not realized her personality; she was just a something, a nuisance in the shape of a girl, which had come between him and a shameful death.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading The colour rose to the young man's pallid face; he leant back and, with narrowed eyes, regarded her, for the first time, with curiosity and interest.