used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PEEP INTO BLUEBEARD'S ROOM.
admirablyadverbUS /ˈædmərəbli/
in an admirable manner
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
BLUEBEARD'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PEEP INTO BLUEBEARD'S ROOM.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
entertainedadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnd/
pleasantly occupied
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
divisible by two
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
at any time
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
set up or found
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
a man of refinement
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
Gerald's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A PEEP INTO BLUEBEARD'S ROOM.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
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 No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
loversnounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
Margaret's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
a form of address for a man
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
not any; not one
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
PEEPverbUS /piːp/
look furtively
From this reading A PEEP INTO BLUEBEARD'S ROOM.
a human being
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A PEEP INTO BLUEBEARD'S ROOM.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
skilfullyadverb
with skill
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
tactnounUS /tækt/
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
termedverbUS /tɜːrmd/
past form of “term” — name formally or designate with a term
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
vigilancenounUS /ˈvɪdʒələns/
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
WestonnounUS /ˈwestən/
United States photographer(1886-1958)
From this reading She was for ever on the alert, and she managed so skilfully that Mr. Weston did not even suspect that Gerald and Lucy were lovers.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Thanks to Margaret's tact, everything went on smoothly for a little while.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading No person but herself knew how hard she worked during this time.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading These young persons would have betrayed themselves a dozen times a day to Gerald's father had it not been for Margaret's vigilance: she took the old gentleman in hand, as she termed it, and entertained him so admirably that he found real pleasure in her society.
