used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
(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 She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
blanklyadverbUS /ˈblæŋkli/
in a blank and uncomprehending manner
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading What was she to do?
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
divisible by two
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
PERPLEXITIES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PERPLEXITIES.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What was she to do?
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
stupidlyadverbUS /ˈstuːpədli/
in a stupid manner
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
supplanternoun
one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another
From this reading She did nothing at all at first, and felt capable of nothing but to stare blankly, almost stupidly, at her supplanter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What was she to do?
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
a message informing of danger
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What was she to do?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was she to do?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She did not feel capable even of rising from the chair into which she had sunk in the utter blank of consternation.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It is not often in life that a woman is brought to such an emergency without warning, without time for preparation.
