Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

past form of “accord” — go together

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

matters of personal concern

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

(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 Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

plural of “association” — a formal organization of people or groups of people

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

plural of “attachment” — a feeling of affection for a person or an institution

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

a lady's bedroom or private sitting room

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

pleasing or delighting

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

a female confidant

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

panel forming the lower part of an interior wall when it is finished differently from the rest of the wall

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

plural of “episode” — a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

plural of “fan” — a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

resembling or made of or suggestive of flowers

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

easily broken or damaged or destroyed

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

French artist whose rococo paintings typified the frivolity of life in the royal court of France in the 18th century (1732-1806)

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

coins made of gold

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

a small well holding writing ink into which a pen can be dipped

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

bestow a quality on

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

engage in

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

the force of workers available

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

coated with paint

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

an amount of time

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

third-person singular of “please” — give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

raise the level or amount of something

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

new

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

third-person singular of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

a relation between people; (“relationship” is often used where “relation” would serve, as in `the relationship between inflation and unemployment', but the preferred usage of “relationship” is for human relations or states of relatedness)

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

Identical; not different.

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

a desk used for writing

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

third-person singular of “sit” — be seated

From this reading Gervase sits down and makes himself agreeable, and relates to her many little episodes of his recent experiences.

superlative of “sound” — financially secure and safe

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

an ancient city of Sumer located on a former channel of the Euphrates River

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

plural of “use” — the act of using

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Gervase saunters in to his hostess's boudoir the next morning, availing himself of the privilege accorded to that distant relationship which it pleases them both to raise into an intimate cousinship.

which person or people

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is a charming boudoir, style Louis Quinze, with the walls hung with flowered silk of that epoch, and the dado made of fans which belonged to the same period.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.

third-person singular of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

but in spite of that

From this reading Lady Usk writes here at a little secretaire painted by Fragonard, and uses an inkstand said to have belonged to Madame de Parabere, made in the shape of a silver shell driven by a gold Cupidon; yet, despite the frivolity of these associations, she contrives to get through a vast mass of business at this fragile table, and has one of the soundest heads for affairs in all England.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading She is used to be the confidante of her men; she is young enough to make a friend who is attractive to them, and old enough to lend herself _de bon c[oe]ur_ to the recital of their attachments to other women.