used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
additionaladjectiveUS /əˈdɪʃənəl/
further or added
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “And how are the children, Mrs. Barclay?” asked Mrs. Hogan.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So she had mastered her pride, and entered the lists as a laundress.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “And how are the children, Mrs. Barclay?” asked Mrs. Hogan.
Barclay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
comfortsnounUS /ˈkʌmfərts/
things that make you comfortable and at ease
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
earnedadjectiveUS /ɜːrnd/
gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
educatedadjectiveUS /ˈedʒəkeɪtɪd/
possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading So she had mastered her pride, and entered the lists as a laundress.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
HogannounUS /ˈhoʊɡɑːn/
United States golfer who won many major golf tournaments (1912-1997)
From this reading “And how are the children, Mrs. Barclay?” asked Mrs. Hogan.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And how are the children, Mrs. Barclay?” asked Mrs. Hogan.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
imposeverbUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊz/
compel to behave in a certain way
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
laundressnoun
a working woman who takes in washing
From this reading So she had mastered her pride, and entered the lists as a laundress.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
listsnounUS /lɪsts/
plural of “list” — a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
From this reading So she had mastered her pride, and entered the lists as a laundress.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
masteredadjectiveUS /ˈmæstərd/
understood perfectly
From this reading So she had mastered her pride, and entered the lists as a laundress.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
needlenounUS /ˈniːdəl/
the leaf of a conifer
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
come into possession of
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
and nothing more
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading So she had mastered her pride, and entered the lists as a laundress.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
sewverbUS /soʊ/
fasten by sewing; do needlework
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So she had mastered her pride, and entered the lists as a laundress.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
the act of testing something
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
at the time that
From this reading Mrs. Barclay had only experienced a feeling of relief when her husband failed to return to her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She had grown accustomed to taking care of herself and the children without him, and his presence seemed likely only to impose upon her an additional burden.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Though she earned her living in a humble way, she was fairly educated, and could sew neatly, but a brief trial with the needle satisfied her that it would be quite impossible to obtain the comforts of life for three persons in that way.
