used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
a quantity of money
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
put or pin the blame on
From this reading But why blame her?
bloomingnounUS /ˈbluːmɪŋ/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
blunderverbUS /ˈblʌndər/
commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
King of France from 1560 to 1574 whose reign was dominated by his mother Catherine de Medicis (1550-1574)
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
considersverbUS /kənˈsɪdərz/
third-person singular of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
devotesverbUS /dɪˈvoʊts/
third-person singular of “devote” — give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
downyadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊni/
like down or as soft as down
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
put on clothes
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/
the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
fritteredverbUS /ˈfrɪtərd/
past form of “fritter” — spend frivolously and unwisely
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
gimpnoun
disability of walking due to crippling of the legs or feet
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But why blame her?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
and nothing more
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
immediately past
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
lusternounUS /ˈlʌstər/
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
Mayfair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
and nothing more
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
term of address for a man
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
SomersetnounUS /ˈsʌmərset/
a county in southwestern England on the Bristol Channel
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
superbadjectiveUS /sʊˈpɜːrb/
of surpassing excellence
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
tattoonounUS /ˌtæˈtuː/
a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
universaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SIR CHARLES was behind his time in Mayfair; but the lawyer and his clerk had not arrived, and Miss Somerset was not visible.
(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 They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
at the time that
From this reading This is a blunder in art as universal as it is amazing, when one considers the amount of apparent thought her sex devotes to dress.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading But why blame her?
in the company of; together with
From this reading They might just as well score a fair plot of velvet turf with rows of box, or tattoo a blooming and downy cheek.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She appeared, however, at last, in a superb silk dress, the broad luster of which would have been beautiful, only the effect was broken and frittered away by six rows of gimp and fringe.
