used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
artfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːrtfəl/
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Now no law could intervene, and no justice.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
dairy-maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
designingnounUS /dɪˈzaɪnɪŋ/
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
exceedverbUS /ɪkˈsiːd/
be greater in scope or size than some standard
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
giftedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪftəd/
endowed with talent or talents
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
a young female
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
interveneverbUS /ˌɪntərˈviːn/
get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force
From this reading Now no law could intervene, and no justice.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading Now no law could intervene, and no justice.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading "WAR TO THE KNIFE."
Lanswell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
Lucia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
not any; not one
From this reading Now no law could intervene, and no justice.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now no law could intervene, and no justice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
a human being
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
positivelyadverbUS /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/
extremely
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
on the contrary
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
a male human offspring
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
tempestuousadjectiveUS /ˌtemˈpestʃuːəs/
characterized by violent emotions or behavior
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her son's marriage had been rather a difficulty than a trouble--a difficulty that the law had helped her over.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "WAR TO THE KNIFE."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "WAR TO THE KNIFE."
a source of difficulty
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
Vanira
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading "WAR TO THE KNIFE."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lucia, Countess of Lanswell, was in terrible trouble, and it was the first real trouble of her life.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Nothing could exceed her surprise in finding Madame Vanira, the Queen of Song, the most beautiful, the most gifted woman in England, positively the "dairy-maid," "the tempestuous young person," the artful, designing girl from whom by an appeal to the strong arm of the law she had saved her son.
