used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
agitatedadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪd/
troubled emotionally and usually deeply
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
aimlesslyadverbUS /ˈeɪmləsli/
without aim; in an aimless manner
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
(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 Egotism ruled each and all of them, she now comprehended.
alleysnounUS /ˈæliz/
plural of “alley” — a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
in addition
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But she would not be imprisoned in the gilded cage; she would escape them all.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she would not be imprisoned in the gilded cage; she would escape them all.
cagenounUS /keɪdʒ/
an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
From this reading But she would not be imprisoned in the gilded cage; she would escape them all.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
comprehendedadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhendɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading Egotism ruled each and all of them, she now comprehended.
confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
councillornoun
a member of a council
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
dean'snounUS /diːnz/
possessive form of “dean” — an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
wanted intensely
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
psychological suffering
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Egotism ruled each and all of them, she now comprehended.
EgotismnounUS /ˈiːɡətɪzəm/
an exaggerated opinion of your own importance
From this reading Egotism ruled each and all of them, she now comprehended.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading But she would not be imprisoned in the gilded cage; she would escape them all.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
FloranounUS /ˈflɔːrə/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
gildedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪldɪd/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading But she would not be imprisoned in the gilded cage; she would escape them all.
Henriette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
imprisonedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənd/
being in captivity
From this reading But she would not be imprisoned in the gilded cage; she would escape them all.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
KittynounUS /ˈkɪti/
the combined stakes of the betters
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
leafyadjectiveUS /ˈliːfi/
having or covered with leaves
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
come together
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
used to form the superlative
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Egotism ruled each and all of them, she now comprehended.
observantadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvənt/
paying close attention especially to details
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
recessesnounUS /ˈriːsesəz/
plural of “recess” — a state of abeyance or suspended business
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
ruledadjectiveUS /ruːld/
subject to a ruling authority
From this reading Egotism ruled each and all of them, she now comprehended.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Egotism ruled each and all of them, she now comprehended.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Upon this point every one was against her, Flora, Henriette, the doctor.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a long while Kitty wandered aimlessly in the park, through its quiet leafy alleys to its most secret recesses.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She did not wish, in her present agitated state, to meet the observant eyes of the dean’s widow; she knew the old lady would question her, and if she confessed the cause of her distress she would probably learn that her old friend also desired her marriage with the councillor.
