used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “Luck was against you to-day, Dixon,” exclaimed the visitor.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
apatheticadjectiveUS /ˌæpəˈθetɪk/
showing little or no emotion or animation
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
constrainedadjectiveUS /kənˈstreɪnd/
lacking spontaneity; not natural
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
a small house with a single story
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
CraneverbUS /kreɪn/
stretch (the neck) so as to see better
From this reading It was Crane who entered.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
Dixon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
Dixon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading It was Crane who entered.
divisible by two
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Luck was against you to-day, Dixon,” exclaimed the visitor.
a young female
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
intentionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃənz/
plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Crane who entered.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading “Luck was against you to-day, Dixon,” exclaimed the visitor.
used to form the superlative
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
shroudedverbUS /ˈʃraʊdɪd/
past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Luck was against you to-day, Dixon,” exclaimed the visitor.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
unpleasantadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
someone who visits
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Crane who entered.
weighedverbUS /weɪd/
past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight
From this reading In his presence even the most trivial conversation seemed shrouded in a background of interested intentions; but to-night Dixon's constrained depression weighed heavy on her spirits and irritated her.
which person or people
From this reading It was Crane who entered.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With apathetic indifference the girl heard a constrained knock at the cottage door; she barely looked up as Dixon opened to a visitor.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At almost any other time his visit would have been unpleasant.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Luck was against you to-day, Dixon,” exclaimed the visitor.
