used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
AcacianounUS /əˈkeɪʃə/
any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Acacia
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
flirtverbUS /flɜːrt/
talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
set up or found
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
a man of refinement
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
a young female
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
gravernounUS /ˈɡreɪvər/
a tool used by an engraver
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
HelpsnounUS /helps/
plural of “help” — the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
take in marriage
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
marryingverbUS /ˈmeriɪŋ/
-ing form of “marry” — take in marriage
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
the force of workers available
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was still Esther Helps.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
steadieradjectiveUS /ˈstediər/
comparative of “steady” — not subject to change or variation especially in behavior
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
not in physical motion
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
a special situation
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Perhaps a more beautiful Esther than of old; a little steadier, too, a little graver--altogether a better girl.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
unaccountableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/
not to be accounted for or explained
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
VillasnounUS /ˈvɪləz/
plural of “villa” — Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading Esther Helps still took charge of her father's house in Acacia Villas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was still Esther Helps.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
at the time that
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
which person or people
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She said nothing now about marrying a gentleman some day, and as the men who were not gentlemen found she would have nothing to do with them, it began to be an almost understood thing among her friends that Esther, lovely as she was, would not marry.
Wyndham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some unaccountable reason, after that night at the theatre when Wyndham had sat by her side and taken her back from destruction to her father's arms, she had almost ceased to flirt.
