used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
ACHIEVEMENTnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
combatnounUS /ˈkɑːmbæt/
an engagement fought between two military forces
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
fitsnounUS /fɪts/
plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
the act of giving
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Madge, however, was rather indefinite in her information.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
improvingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvɪŋ/
getting higher or more vigorous
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Madge, however, was rather indefinite in her information.
incentivenounUS /ˌɪnˈsentɪv/
a positive motivational influence
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
indefiniteadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdefənət/
vague or not clearly defined or stated
From this reading Madge, however, was rather indefinite in her information.
a message received and understood
From this reading Madge, however, was rather indefinite in her information.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
instinctivelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈstɪŋktɪvliː/
as a matter of instinct
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
long-prolonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
Madge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madge, however, was rather indefinite in her information.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
MuirnounUS /mjʊr/
United States naturalist (born in England) who advocated the creation of national parks (1838-1914)
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
many times at short intervals
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
pursueverbUS /pərˈsuː/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
on the contrary
From this reading Madge, however, was rather indefinite in her information.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading The hope of appearing like a new being to her relatives was another innocent motive for her long-prolonged effort.
determined
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading As time passed, the idea of giving her friends in the East a surprise took possession of her fancy.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She instinctively felt that she needed every incentive to pursue the course she had resolved upon, since she often suffered from fits of depression hard to combat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ACHIEVEMENT Mrs. Muir of course heard often from her sister, and was satisfied with the general assurance that she was better and steadily improving.
