used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
Cacouna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
make calm or still
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
Costello
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
having the place or position changed
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
entertainingadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/
agreeably diverting
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
exaggeratedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪtəd/
represented as greater than is true or reasonable
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
home-look
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
jarringadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːrɪŋ/
making or causing a harsh and irritating sound
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
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 But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
Lucia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
on one occasion
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
not in physical motion
From this reading Yet still she did not ask; and after a little while, Mrs. Costello said, "Mr. Strafford has been all the afternoon in Cacouna.
Strafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
tea-service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
unfitnessnoun
poor physical condition; being out of shape or out of condition (as from a life of ease and luxury)
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
precisely as stated
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were waiting tea for her; and the bright cheerful room, with its peaceful home-look, the table and familiar tea-service, the perfectly settled and calm aspect of everything about, struck upon her disturbed fancy with a jarring sense of unfitness.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lucia came with flushed cheeks and beating heart into the presence of her mother and Mr. Strafford.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But in a very little while the calm began to have a more reasonable effect; and by the time tea was over, she was ready to hear what had been done, without such an exaggerated idea of its importance, as she had been entertaining during her long hours of suspense.
but in spite of that
From this reading She longed to have her question answered at once, yet dreaded to ask it.
