used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
in addition
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
Araminta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
artlessadjective
characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But it proved to be something else.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
for the reason that
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
behaveverbUS /bɪˈheɪv/
behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
benevolentlyadverb
in a benevolent manner
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
boudoirnounUS /ˈbuːdɔɪr/
a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it proved to be something else.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
Caroline's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
Cheriton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
conferverbUS /kənˈfɜːr/
have a conference in order to talk something over
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it proved to be something else.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
foolishlyadverbUS /ˈfuːlɪʃli/
without good sense or judgment
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
a young female
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it proved to be something else.
joyfullyadverbUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəli/
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
for more time
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
MuffinnounUS /ˈmʌfən/
a sweet quick bread baked in a cup-shaped pan
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
orielnoun
a projecting bay window corbeled or cantilevered out from a wall
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
parentnounUS /ˈperənt/
a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
Pen-y-Gros
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
persistencenounUS /pərˈsɪstəns/
the property of a continuous and connected period of time
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
established beyond doubt
From this reading But it proved to be something else.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
not often
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
be seated
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But it proved to be something else.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
not in physical motion
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
THUNDERBOLTnounUS /ˈθʌndərbɔːlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading “Girl,” said Aunt Caroline--she very seldom addressed Araminta in any other style than “Girl”--“sit there and try not to behave foolishly.
unbendingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnˈbendɪŋ/
incapable of adapting or changing to meet circumstances
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
precisely as stated
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
which person or people
From this reading Aunt Caroline was looking very bleak and formidable, and Lord Cheriton, who was present also, had never seemed so much like a parent, so benevolently unbending was his manner.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A THUNDERBOLT While the rain was beating with monotonous persistence upon the oriel windows of Pen-y-Gros Castle, Araminta was summoned to Aunt Caroline’s boudoir.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So little did that artless being suspect calamity that she obeyed the summons joyfully, because she felt convinced that Aunt Caroline was to confer with her as to whether Muffin would like to stay still longer.
