used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
balmnounUS /bɑːm/
any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
boudoirnounUS /ˈbuːdɔɪr/
a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
make calm or still
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
Denise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
divisible by two
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
Fernande
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
Frontenay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
hero'snounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
possessive form of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
the state of being honored
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
immediately past
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
Laurent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
Marquisenoun
a noblewoman ranking below a duchess and above a countess
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
the force of workers available
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
mistakesnounUS /mɪˈsteɪks/
plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
Mortain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
mournedverbUS /mɔːrnd/
past form of “mourn” — feel sadness
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
outwardlyadverbUS /ˈaʊtwərdli/
with respect to the outside
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
PIGEONnounUS /ˈpɪdʒən/
wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
past form of “rejoin” — join again
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
retrieveverbUS /rɪˈtriːv/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
seethingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːðɪŋ/
in constant agitation
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
a male human offspring
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
on a floor above
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
at the time that
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Her heart was so little capable of grief, that it was doubtful whether she really mourned Laurent, or whether pride, in that he died a hero's death, acted as a soothing balm upon her sorrow.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When half an hour later she rejoined her niece in the small boudoir downstairs, she appeared outwardly quite calm, and talked of nothing but the new plans which already were seething in her brain, and which were destined to retrieve the mistakes of the night.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
a Caucasian
From this reading THE WHITE PIGEON I Fernande waited in the hall below while Madame la Marquise went upstairs to see the last of her son.
which person or people
From this reading It was impossible even for Fernande, who knew her aunt so well, to guess at what Denise de Mortain felt.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading Half a dozen men from the La Frontenay works formed a guard of honour for the dead.
