used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading 'Yes,' she said, 'I am at home.'
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
Armorel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was sitting beside the fire in the drawing-room of Armorel's flat.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading 'Yes,' she said, 'I am at home.'
next to; at the side of
From this reading She was sitting beside the fire in the drawing-room of Armorel's flat.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was sitting beside the fire in the drawing-room of Armorel's flat.
put on clothes
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
easy-chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
Elstree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
featheryadjectiveUS /ˈfeðəri/
resembling or suggesting a feather or feathers
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading She was sitting beside the fire in the drawing-room of Armorel's flat.
fluffyadjectiveUS /ˈflʌfi/
like down or as soft as down
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading 'Yes,' she said, 'I am at home.'
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'Yes,' she said, 'I am at home.'
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
a female domestic
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
march in a procession
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
not any; not one
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
and nothing more
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
by chance
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
ragedverbUS /reɪdʒd/
past form of “rage” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'Yes,' she said, 'I am at home.'
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading She was sitting beside the fire in the drawing-room of Armorel's flat.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading ONLY A SIMPLE SERVICE Mrs. Elstree took the card that the maid brought her.
having come into contact
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It was a cold afternoon in March: outside, a black east wind raged through the streets; it was no day for driving or for walking: within, soft carpets, easy-chairs, and bright fires invited one to stay at home.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She started up, mechanically touched her hair--which was of the feathery and fluffy kind--and her dress, with the woman's instinct to see that everything was in order: the quick colour rose to her cheek--perhaps from the heat of the fire.
an affirmative
From this reading 'Yes,' she said, 'I am at home.'
