used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
addingverbUS /ˈædɪŋ/
-ing form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
(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 In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
any person at all
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
Cecilia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/
plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
departingverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
earningverbUS /ˈɜːrnɪŋ/
-ing form of “earn” — earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
easieradjectiveUS /ˈiːziər/
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
Eliza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
divisible by two
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
exactingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/
having complicated nutritional requirements; especially growing only in special artificial cultures
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
factotumnoun
a servant employed to do a variety of jobs
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
a young female
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
high-spiritedadjectiveUS /ˌhaɪˈspɪrɪdɪd/
joyously unrestrained
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
house-maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
a social unit living together
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
inheritedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈherətɪd/
occurring among members of a family usually by heredity
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
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 As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
a unit of instruction
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
MaidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
engage in
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
as might be expected
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
not any; not one
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
offendedadjectiveUS /əˈfendəd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
pallverbUS /pɑːl/
become less interesting or attractive
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
a human being
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
postsnounUS /poʊsts/
plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
with speed
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
Rainham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
only a very short time before
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
unpaidadjectiveUS /ənˈpeɪd/
not paid
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
being of use or service
From this reading As Mrs. Rainham gracefully remarked, when a girl was not earning her own living, as so many were, but was enjoying the comfort of home, the least she could do was to make herself useful.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Maids were scarce enough in England in the months after the end of the war; and, even in easier times, there had been a dreary procession of arriving and departing servants in the Rainham household--the high-spirited characteristics of the children being apt to pall quickly upon anyone but their mother.
at the time that
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
whiskedverbUS /wɪskt/
past form of “whisk” — move somewhere quickly
From this reading Cecilia whisked the lesson books hastily away; Eliza was waiting with a lowering brow, and Eliza was by no means a person to be offended.
which person or people
From this reading In days when there happened to be no Eliza, it was Cecilia who naturally inherited the vacant place, adding the duties of house-maid to those of nurse, governess, companion and general factotum; all exacting posts, and all of them unpaid.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Rainham left the room, with the children at her heels.
