used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
react verbally
From this reading CHRISTIAN HAREFIELD’S ANSWER.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
Beatrix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
Beatrix's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
exhale hard
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
confined by bonds
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
a young person of either sex
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading CHRISTIAN HAREFIELD’S ANSWER.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
conscientiousadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/
characterized by extreme care and great effort
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
consentedverbUS /kənˈsentɪd/
past form of “consent” — give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
duennanoun
a woman chaperon
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
earningverbUS /ˈɜːrnɪŋ/
-ing form of “earn” — earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
eighteenadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːn/
being one more than seventeen
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
eighteenthadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the seventeenth in position
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
HAREFIELD'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHRISTIAN HAREFIELD’S ANSWER.
to a considerable degree
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
impendingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpendɪŋ/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
improvingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvɪŋ/
getting higher or more vigorous
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
never-to-be
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
on the contrary
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
To recall to mind.
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
salarynounUS /ˈsæləri/
something that remunerates
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
ScalesnounUS /skeɪlz/
plural of “scale” — an ordered reference standard
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
shatterverbUS /ˈʃætər/
break into many pieces
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
strictnessnoun
conscientious attention to rules and details
From this reading The strictness of Miss Scales’ rule had been relaxed since Beatrix’s eighteenth birthday.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
carry out
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
To-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-day she felt that a blow was impending--a stroke that must shatter the rosy chain that bound her to her bright new life.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
Vicaragenoun
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
at the time that
From this reading THE Monday after that Sunday evening supper at the Vicarage dragged more heavily than any day Beatrix could remember since that never-to-be forgotten awful day when--a little child in a strange city--she was told of her mother’s death.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The lady was now rather companion and duenna than governess; but Miss Scales was conscientious, and did not care to take her salary without earning it, so she had urged upon Beatrix that a young lady of eighteen was in duty bound to go on improving her mind, and Beatrix had consented to two hours’ daily reading, on a rigid system.
