used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
absurditynounUS /əbˈsɜːrdəti/
a message whose content is at variance with reason
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
appealedverbUS /əˈpiːld/
past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading That he did not discover the deception at once was a cause of wonderment to me.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
curtain-raiser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
deceptionnounUS /dɪˈsepʃən/
a misleading falsehood
From this reading That he did not discover the deception at once was a cause of wonderment to me.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That he did not discover the deception at once was a cause of wonderment to me.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading That he did not discover the deception at once was a cause of wonderment to me.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
ELECTverbUS /ɪˈlekt/
select by a vote for an office or membership
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
at any time
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
farcicaladjectiveUS /ˈfɑːrsəkəl/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
Felsen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That he did not discover the deception at once was a cause of wonderment to me.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
indicationnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
irresistiblyadverbUS /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbli/
incapable of being resisted
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
the sound of laughing
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That he did not discover the deception at once was a cause of wonderment to me.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That he did not discover the deception at once was a cause of wonderment to me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
on one occasion
From this reading That he did not discover the deception at once was a cause of wonderment to me.
petticoatnounUS /ˈpetikoʊt/
undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
prefaces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
self-satisfactionnoun
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
a special situation
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
von
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If my feelings were any indication of my appearance, I must have looked as awkward a creature as ever wore a petticoat.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole thing was like a little farcical curtain-raiser at a theatre which prefaces the real drama.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A BRIDE ELECT My first inclination on taking my seat in the carriage with von Felsen was to laugh.
wondermentnounUS /ˈwʌndərmənt/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading That he did not discover the deception at once was a cause of wonderment to me.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading His face wore such an expression of self-satisfaction and triumph that the absurdity of it appealed almost irresistibly to my sense of humour.
