used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To begin with, she had only the very vaguest notions of how to set about it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
intentionally conceived
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
earnverbUS /ɜːrn/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
evadeverbUS /ɪˈveɪd/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
livelihoodnounUS /ˈlaɪvlihʊd/
the financial means whereby one lives
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
not any; not one
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
Nora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
notionsnounUS /ˈnoʊʃənz/
plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading To begin with, she had only the very vaguest notions of how to set about it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
and nothing more
From this reading To begin with, she had only the very vaguest notions of how to set about it.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
qualifiedadjectiveUS /ˈkwɑːləfaɪd/
meeting the proper standards and requirements and training for an office or position or task
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading What remained?
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
servingnounUS /ˈsɜːrvɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading To begin with, she had only the very vaguest notions of how to set about it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
do one's shopping
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
that is looked for
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
in the direction of
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
unfitadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪt/
below the required standards for a purpose
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
vaguestadjectiveUS /ˈveɪɡɪst/
superlative of “vague” — not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading To begin with, she had only the very vaguest notions of how to set about it.
precisely as stated
From this reading To begin with, she had only the very vaguest notions of how to set about it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In her time she had heard a good deal about how difficult it sometimes is to earn one's own living, but she never realized what that meant until she started to earn hers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To begin with, she had only the very vaguest notions of how to set about it.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
workroomnounUS /ˈwɜːrkruːm/
room where work is done
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She could not serve in a shop; at least she did not feel as if she could; she was conscious that she was not qualified to be a governess; she had no leaning towards domestic service, though she would have preferred that to serving in a shop; she had no woman's trade at her fingers' ends, so that she was unfit for a workroom.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A YOUNG LADY IN SEARCH OF A LIVING The more Nora sought for means to earn her own livelihood, the more they seemed to evade her.
