used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
any thing at all
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
energeticadjectiveUS /ˌenərˈdʒetɪk/
possessing or exerting or displaying energy
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
frownedverbUS /fraʊnd/
past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
yet to be or coming
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
an established custom
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
hairpins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
oneself
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
perplexitynounUS /pərˈpleksəti/
trouble or confusion resulting from complexity
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
puckered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
stoopverbUS /stuːp/
bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
swearingnounUS /ˈswerɪŋ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
precisely as stated
From this reading She always did up her hair very securely and neatly, so that this was quite safe.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
at the time that
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Talking to oneself is a bad habit, especially when the door is open, whether one be swearing at something or examining one’s own conscience.
which person or people
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
Wimpole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Wimpole was walking up and down the little sitting-room in considerable perplexity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When she was greatly in doubt as to her future conduct, she puckered her elderly lips, frowned severely, and talked to herself with an occasional energetic shaking of the head.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Women who are not sure of their hairpins carry their heads as carefully as a basket of eggs and do not bend them if they have to stoop for anything.
