used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
Annette's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
Averil's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "WILL YOU TAKE BACK THOSE WORDS, MAUD?"
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
clothing in general
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
contrivancesnounUS /kənˈtraɪvənsɪz/
plural of “contrivance” — a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
contriveverbUS /kənˈtraɪv/
make or work out a plan for; devise
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
frayedadjectiveUS /freɪd/
worn away or tattered along the edges
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
gentlewomannounUS /ˈdʒentəlwʊmən/
a woman of refinement
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
Georgina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
indefinableadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈfaɪnəbəl/
not capable of being precisely or readily described; not easily put into words
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
ladylikeadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdilaɪk/
befitting a woman of good breeding
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
social deportment
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
MAUD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "WILL YOU TAKE BACK THOSE WORDS, MAUD?"
mendedverbUS /ˈmendɪd/
past form of “mend” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
mistyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsti/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
not one, and not any
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
being perceived or observed
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
pangnounUS /pæŋ/
a sudden sharp feeling
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
an amount of time
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
a particular situation
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
stampsnounUS /stæmps/
plural of “stamp” — the distinctive form in which a thing is made
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
carry out
From this reading "WILL YOU TAKE BACK THOSE WORDS, MAUD?"
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
thoroughadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːroʊ/
painstakingly careful and accurate
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "WILL YOU TAKE BACK THOSE WORDS, MAUD?"
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading "How can she contrive to look so ladylike?" she thought, as she remarked the frayed edges of her black gown; "none of them seem to have noticed that indefinable air that stamps her as a true gentlewoman.
precisely as stated
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A very few minutes were sufficient for the inspection of Annette's scanty stock of clothes.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "WILL YOU TAKE BACK THOSE WORDS, MAUD?"
hope for; have a wish
From this reading I wish Maud and Georgina had half such good manners; but they are thorough girls of the period."
the words that are spoken
From this reading "WILL YOU TAKE BACK THOSE WORDS, MAUD?"
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading Averil's eyes grew misty over the little pile of coarse, neatly mended linen; the worn shoes, the pitiful contrivances, gave more than one pang to her warm heart.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "WILL YOU TAKE BACK THOSE WORDS, MAUD?"
