used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
acquireverbUS /əˈkwaɪər/
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
beginsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
business-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
conscientiousadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/
characterized by extreme care and great effort
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
divisible by two
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
fitnessnounUS /ˈfɪtnəs/
the quality of being suitable
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
forgetfulnessnoun
tendency to forget
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
Heyham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
Heyham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
a message received and understood
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
absolutely essential
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
not any; not one
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
ParliamentnounUS /ˈpɑːrləmənt/
a legislative assembly in certain countries
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
Percival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
philanthropicadjectiveUS /ˌfɪlənˈθrɑːpɪk/
generous in assistance to the poor
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
progressiveadjectiveUS /prəˈɡresɪv/
favoring or promoting progress
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
reservoirnounUS /ˈrezəvwɑːr/
a large or extra supply of something
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
Rosemary's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
express in speech
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
tapverbUS /tæp/
cut a female screw thread with a tap
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading DURING the next fortnight Mrs. Heyham's sitting-room took on a business-like air.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
typewriternounUS /ˈtaɪpraɪtər/
hand-operated character printer for printing written messages one character at a time
From this reading A desk appeared in it, a typewriter, and finally a lady called Miss Percival.
except if; if not
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
waitressesnounUS /ˈweɪtrəsɪz/
plural of “waitress” — a woman waiter
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading There could be no doubt of the lady's fitness for this task, for away in her past behind the conscientious member lay services to every progressive society in London that wanted investigation done for nothing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was Rosemary's idea, and the theory of her was that one cannot be certain of doing good, even to waitresses, unless one knows something about them before one begins.
which person or people
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
belonging to which person
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Miss Percival, who had been secretary to a philanthropic member of Parliament, was to help her employer acquire this necessary knowledge, and then act, so to speak, as a reservoir of information whose tap would be turned if Mrs. Heyham showed signs of forgetfulness or of letting her feelings run away with her.
