used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
put or pin the blame on
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
cometnounUS /ˈkɑːmət/
(astronomy) a relatively small extraterrestrial body consisting of a frozen mass that travels around the sun in a highly elliptical orbit
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
Coombe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading UNDER DEADLY FIRE.
dejectionnoun
a state of melancholy depression
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
start firing a weapon
From this reading UNDER DEADLY FIRE.
fretverbUS /fret/
worry unnecessarily or excessively
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
hardshipsnounUS /ˈhɑːrdʃɪps/
plural of “hardship” — a state of misfortune or affliction
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
Hilary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
interceptedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈseptəd/
past form of “intercept” — seize on its way
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
judgesnounUS /ˈdʒʌdʒɪz/
a book of the Old Testament that tells the history of Israel under the leaders known as judges
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
LorrainenounUS /lərˈeɪn/
an eastern French region rich in iron-ore deposits
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
rationsnounUS /ˈræʃənz/
plural of “ration” — the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading UNDER DEADLY FIRE.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
precisely as stated
From this reading This was of course an absurd idea; but sensitive girls, in moods of dejection, are not good judges of absurdity; and Alice at such times fully believed that if she had not intercepted so much of her father’s affection from her brother, things would have been very different.
warehousenounUS /ˈwerhaʊs/
a storehouse for goods and merchandise
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
which person or people
From this reading Hilary (who had always been the life of the place) was far away, fed upon hardships and short rations.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Alice, though full sometimes of spirits, at other times would run away and fret, and blame herself, as if the whole of the fault was on her side.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Though Coombe Lorraine was so old a mansion, and so full of old customs, the Christmas of the “comet year” was as dull as a Sunday in a warehouse.
