used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
regarded with admiration
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
barometernounUS /bərˈɑːmɪtər/
an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
BluesnounUS /bluːz/
a type of folksong that originated among Black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century; has a melancholy sound from repeated use of blue notes
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
bounceverbUS /baʊns/
spring back; spring away from an impact
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
the act of breaking something
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
a game played with playing cards
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
celebratingverbUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “celebrate” — behave as expected during of holidays or rites
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
DiananounUS /daɪˈænə/
English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
Diana'snounUS /daɪˈænəz/
possessive form of “diana” — English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
without deviation
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
dulyadverbUS /ˈduːli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
experiencingverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪŋ/
-ing form of “experience” — undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
festivalnounUS /ˈfestəvəl/
a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
fizzling-over
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
highly-strung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
imitatedverbUS /ˈɪməteɪtɪd/
past form of “imitate” — reproduce someone's behavior or looks
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
india-rubber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
indigonounUS /ˈɪndəɡoʊ/
a blue dye obtained from plants or made synthetically
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
orangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
over-excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
a human being
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
plungeverbUS /plʌndʒ/
thrust or throw into
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
reactionnounUS /riˈækʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
squeezedverbUS /skwiːzd/
past form of “squeeze” — to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
hard to endure
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
vitalitynounUS /vaɪˈtæləti/
an energetic style
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were several reasons for this unfortunate plunge into an indigo atmosphere.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her father's "lightning methods", which she much admired and imitated, were decidedly wearing to her vitality, and left her sometimes like a squeezed orange or an india-rubber ball that has lost its bounce.
which person or people
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
belonging to which person
From this reading Diana was a highly-strung little person, whose nerves were apt to get on edge, and who made the common mistake of trying to live too fast.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A Fit of the Blues The interest of experiencing a real old-fashioned English Christmas had kept Diana's spirits up at fizzling-over point, but directly the festival was over, her mental barometer came down with a run, and landed her in a bad fit of the blues.
Yule-tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, the inevitable reaction after the over-excitement of breaking up, sending off presents and cards, and duly celebrating the Yule-tide feast.
