used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
in actual fact
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
Avorys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
Bannerdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
Bannerdales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
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 "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
half the width of an em
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
encouragementnounUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the expression of approval and support
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
divisible by two
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
famille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
gentlestadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentələst/
superlative of “gentle” — soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
a young female
From this reading "The girl is all right," remarked Lord Bannerdale.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
GrangenounUS /ɡreɪndʒ/
an outlying farm
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
hauteurnoun
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
be the source of pain
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
invitationsnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The girl is all right," remarked Lord Bannerdale.
isolationnounUS /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/
a state of separation between persons or groups
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading "The girl is all right," remarked Lord Bannerdale.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
overturesnounUS /ˈoʊvərtʃʊrz/
plural of “overture” — orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
pettedverbUS /ˈpetɪd/
inflected form of “pet” — stroke or caress gently
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
on the contrary
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
get something; come into possession of
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "The girl is all right," remarked Lord Bannerdale.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
respondverbUS /rɪˈspɑːnd/
show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "The girl is all right," remarked Lord Bannerdale.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
not in physical motion
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
a source of difficulty
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
Vaynes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
precisely as stated
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
which person or people
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within a few days she received invitations from the Bannerdales and Vaynes and the other county families, who were evidently possessed by the kind determination that she should become one of them.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The dinner at Bannerdale Grange was quite _en famille_; she was made a great deal of; and if she had given them the least encouragement they would actually have petted her; but though Ida had lost something of her old pride and _hauteur_, caused by her isolation, she was still somewhat reserved, and, grateful as she was for their overtures of affection, she could not respond as fully as she would have liked.
people who are wounded
From this reading It was the same with the Vaynes and Avorys; they were all more than kind to her, and she longed to receive their attention with open arms; but she could not: the fact was, her wounded heart was so tender that it shrank even from the gentlest touch.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "She has been in great trouble and it has hurt her very badly; and though she seems rather cold and reserved, she is more sensitive than most women: you must give her time."
