used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
(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 All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
crochet-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
detestedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtestɪd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
doubtsnounUS /daʊts/
plural of “doubt” — the state of being unsure of something
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
a movement into or inward
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
ExcellencynounUS /ˈekˈslensi/
a title used to address dignitaries (such as ambassadors or governors); usually preceded by “Your” or “His” or “Her”
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For what object was she there?
forciblyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrsəbli/
in a forcible manner
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
haughtyadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːti/
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
imposeverbUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊz/
compel to behave in a certain way
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
moiré
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
mutteringnounUS /ˈmʌtərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading For what object was she there?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
outragesnounUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒɪz/
plural of “outrage” — a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
pretentiousadjectiveUS /priˈtenʃəs/
making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
done under pressure
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
self-possessionnoun
the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
stiffnessnounUS /ˈstɪfnəs/
the physical property of being inflexible and hard to bend
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All my terrible doubts of the morning now rushed forcibly back to my memory, and I felt that never had I detested a human being with the hate I experienced for her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For what object was she there?
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
precisely as stated
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For what object was she there?
which person or people
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading I could not catch her name, nor, indeed, was I thinking of it; my whole mind was bent upon the question, Who could she be?
in the company of; together with
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
wrinkledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪŋkəld/
marked by wrinkles
From this reading On entering the drawing-room, his Excellency presented me to an elderly lady, very thin, and very wrinkled, who received me with a cold dignity, and then went on with her crochet-work.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The pretentious stiffness of her manner, the haughty self-possession she wore, were positive outrages; and as I looked at her, I felt myself muttering, “Don't imagine that your heavy black moiré, or your rich falls of lace, impose upon _me_.
