used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SLIGHT INDISCRETION.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
from appearances alone
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
Barold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
Belinda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
INDISCRETIONnounUS /ˌɪndɪˈskreʃən/
the trait of being injudicious
From this reading A SLIGHT INDISCRETION.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
monopolizingverbUS /məˈnɑːpəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “monopolize” — have and control fully and exclusively
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
a form of address for a man
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
Octavia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
and nothing more
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
cut with a saw
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
the quality of being significant
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A SLIGHT INDISCRETION.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
tea-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He drank very little tea, and now and then appeared much interested and amused.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
precisely as stated
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
at the time that
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When she raised her eyes to her hostess, she met with a glance full of icy significance; when she looked across the tea-table, she saw Octavia seated next to Mr. Francis Barold, monopolizing his attention, and apparently in the very best possible spirits.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading It only made matters worse, that Mr. Francis Barold seemed to find her remarks worthy of his attention.
wretchednessnoun
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading During the remainder of the evening, Miss Belinda was a prey to wretchedness and despair.
