used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
airsnounUS /erz/
affected manners intended to impress others
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
(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 But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
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 One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
busiedverbUS /ˈbɪzid/
inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
a person who is in charge
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
episodenounUS /ˈepəsoʊd/
a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
footmannounUS /ˈfʊtmən/
a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
Giovanni
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
a particular point in time
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
RachelnounUS /ˈreɪtʃəl/
(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
Rachel'snounUS /ˈreɪtʃəlz/
possessive form of “rachel” — (Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
receptaclesnounUS /rɪˈseptɪkəlz/
plural of “receptacle” — a container that is used to put or keep things in
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
REPARATIONnounUS /ˌrepərˈeɪʃən/
compensation (given or received) for an insult or injury
From this reading REPARATION.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
salvernoun
a tray (or large plate) for serving food or drinks; usually made of silver
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
sundryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌndri/
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
carry out
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
in or at that place or location
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
at the time that
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
willedverbUS /wɪld/
past form of “will” — decree or ordain
From this reading But, after all, Fate willed that this marriage should be but the chief episode in the story, and not the story itself, of Rachel's life.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One day, when she was flitting about her great drawing-room, with a basket of flowers on her arm, singing soft airs from "Don Giovanni" under her breath as she busied herself with the arrangement of little groups of leaves and flowers in sundry precious receptacles here and there, a footman entered with a telegram.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Wait a moment, James, until I see if there are any orders for you to take out."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "That is from your master," said Rachel, lifting it from the salver and tearing off the envelope.
