used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
in the past
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
chagrinnounUS /ʃəˈɡrɪn/
strong feelings of embarrassment
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
concentrateverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪt/
make denser, stronger, or purer
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
gotten under control
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "HOW COULD YOU HURT YOUR GRIZEL SO!"
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
drawernounUS /drɔːr/
a boxlike container in a piece of furniture; made so as to slide in and out
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
Elspeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
divisible by two
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
exhilarationnounUS /ɪɡˌzɪlərˈeɪʃən/
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
GRIZEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "HOW COULD YOU HURT YOUR GRIZEL SO!"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "HOW COULD YOU HURT YOUR GRIZEL SO!"
be the source of pain
From this reading "HOW COULD YOU HURT YOUR GRIZEL SO!"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
used to form the superlative
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
absolutely essential
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
not divisible by two
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
many times at short intervals
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
by chance
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
resentedverbUS /riˈzentɪd/
past form of “resent” — feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
not often
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "HOW COULD YOU HURT YOUR GRIZEL SO!"
a thing, without saying which
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
Tommy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So often he had put that mind of hers to rights that it was an open box to him, or had been until he conceived the odd notion that perhaps it contained a secret drawer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To concentrate on Elspeth so that he might find out what was in her mind was, as we have seen, seldom necessary to Tommy; for he had learned her by heart long ago.
at the time that
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This would have been resented by most brothers, but Tommy's chagrin was nothing compared to the exhilaration with which he perceived that he might be about to discover something new about woman.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet a time was now come when he had to concentrate, and even then he was doubtful of the result.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "HOW COULD YOU HURT YOUR GRIZEL SO!"
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "HOW COULD YOU HURT YOUR GRIZEL SO!"
