used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
alarmingadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/
frightening because of an awareness of danger
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
alterationnounUS /ˌɔːltərˈeɪʃən/
an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Her face had a weary, worn-out look, and the hand that lay listlessly on the arm of her chair was terribly thin.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
Costello
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/
property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Her face had a weary, worn-out look, and the hand that lay listlessly on the arm of her chair was terribly thin.
faintingverbUS /ˈfeɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “faint” — pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
fitsnounUS /fɪts/
plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
immediately past
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Her face had a weary, worn-out look, and the hand that lay listlessly on the arm of her chair was terribly thin.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
listlesslyadverbUS /ˈlɪstləsli/
in a listless manner
From this reading Her face had a weary, worn-out look, and the hand that lay listlessly on the arm of her chair was terribly thin.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
Lucia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
engage in
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her face had a weary, worn-out look, and the hand that lay listlessly on the arm of her chair was terribly thin.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
by chance
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
shawlnounUS /ʃɔːl/
cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
simpleradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpələr/
comparative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
Strafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
terriblyadverbUS /ˈterəbli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading Her face had a weary, worn-out look, and the hand that lay listlessly on the arm of her chair was terribly thin.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Her face had a weary, worn-out look, and the hand that lay listlessly on the arm of her chair was terribly thin.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
a source of difficulty
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Mrs. Costello leaned back in her chair, and Mr. Strafford watched her from under the shadow of his hand.
be dressed in
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading Her face had a weary, worn-out look, and the hand that lay listlessly on the arm of her chair was terribly thin.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Those fainting fits, too, of which Lucia had told him, and the one which she had had that day, were alarming.
a Caucasian
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Since the winter set in she had taken to wear a soft white shawl, and her caps were of a closer, simpler make than they used to be--perhaps these changes made her look older.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
worn-outadjective
used until no longer useful
From this reading Her face had a weary, worn-out look, and the hand that lay listlessly on the arm of her chair was terribly thin.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was impossible, too, that she should have passed through the trouble of the last few months without showing its effects to some degree, and yet it seemed to her old friend that there was more alteration than he could see occasion for.
