used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
(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 They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
react verbally
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
Armstrong'snounUS /ˈɑːrmstrɔːŋz/
possessive form of “armstrong” — United States astronaut; the first man to set foot on the Moon (July 20, 1969) (1930-)
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
becominglyadverb
in a becoming manner
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly Miss Pauline Lefroy is right.
chimenounUS /tʃaɪm/
a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
contentedlyadverbUS /kənˈtentədli/
with equanimity
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
couchesnounUS /ˈkaʊtʃɪz/
plural of “couch” — an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
creature-comforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
put on clothes
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
to come or go into
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
gongnounUS /ɡɔːŋ/
a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
improvementnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənt/
a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
inauguratedverbUS /ɪˈnɔːɡəreɪtɪd/
past form of “inaugurate” — commence officially
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Certainly Miss Pauline Lefroy is right.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
Lefroy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly Miss Pauline Lefroy is right.
Lefroy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
for more time
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
methodicaladjectiveUS /məˈθɑːdəkəl/
characterized by method and orderliness
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Certainly Miss Pauline Lefroy is right.
mistressesnounUS /ˈmɪstrəsəz/
plural of “mistress” — an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
muddyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌdi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
as might be expected
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
not any; not one
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
Nutsgrove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
PaulineadjectiveUS /pɔːˈliːn/
relating to Paul the Apostle or his doctrines
From this reading Certainly Miss Pauline Lefroy is right.
pawsnounUS /pɔːz/
plural of “paw” — a clawed foot of an animal especially a quadruped
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
with low volume
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
reignverbUS /reɪn/
have sovereign power
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
respectabilitynounUS /riˌspektəˈbɪlɪti/
honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Certainly Miss Pauline Lefroy is right.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
régime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
satisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌsætəˈsfæktri/
giving satisfaction
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
in the near future
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
required or under orders
From this reading They learned to answer to the chime of bell and gong, to enter a room quietly, and, above all, to dress, as ladies are supposed to dress, neatly and becomingly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
unsophisticatedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd/
not wise in the ways of the world
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Life at Nutsgrove under the new _régime_, so far as creature-comforts go, is a vast improvement on the old.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
waxedadjectiveUS /wækst/
treated with wax
From this reading The dogs followed the example of their mistresses, and no longer dragged their muddy paws across fresh carpets and waxed boards, or rested their dusty bodies on the drawing-room couches.
well-trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Its contrast was at first too great to be entirely satisfactory to the nerves of Colonel Lefroy's unsophisticated daughters; but this feeling soon wore away, and they dropped naturally and contentedly into the reign of order and methodical respectability inaugurated by Mr. Armstrong's well-trained servants.
