used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.
the state of being absent
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.
ALARMINGadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/
frightening because of an awareness of danger
From this reading AN ALARMING INCIDENT.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ALARMING INCIDENT.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
attirenounUS /əˈtaɪər/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
bethought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
companion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
displeasurenounUS /dɪˈspleʒər/
the feeling of being displeased or annoyed or dissatisfied with someone or something
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
distractedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstræktəd/
having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
destroyed or killed
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.
not in action or at work
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
a single distinct event
From this reading AN ALARMING INCIDENT.
inspectingverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
Julia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
and nothing more
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
go away from a place
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
litteredadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərd/
filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
MansfieldnounUS /ˈmænzfiːld/
New Zealand writer of short stories (1888-1923)
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
Mansfield's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
a full supply
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
proceedingsnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
provokedadjectiveUS /prəˈvoʊkt/
incited, especially deliberately, to anger
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
Identical; not different.
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
severestadjectiveUS /səˈvɪrəst/
superlative of “severe” — intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
in the near future
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
carry out
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
hard to endure
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
weariedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪrid/
exhausted
From this reading After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
at the time that
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.
work-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it.
