aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
(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 Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
annoyedadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading The solicitor annoyed her most--he was so superior.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
Belvoir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading THE MAN IN BLUE GLASSES.
the two together, not just one
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
Britton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
give a description of
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
set up or found
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
a young female
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
GLASSESnounUS /ˈɡlæsəz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading THE MAN IN BLUE GLASSES.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The solicitor annoyed her most--he was so superior.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
horriblyadverbUS /ˈhɔːrəbli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MAN IN BLUE GLASSES.
intelligiblyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəbli/
in an intelligible manner
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
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 So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
lunch-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE MAN IN BLUE GLASSES.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The solicitor annoyed her most--he was so superior.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
noblyadverbUS /ˈnɑːbli/
in a noble manner
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
nocturnaladjectiveUS /nɑːkˈtɜːrnəl/
belonging to or active during the night
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
on the contrary
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
solicitornounUS /səˈlɪsətər/
a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
From this reading The solicitor annoyed her most--he was so superior.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading The solicitor annoyed her most--he was so superior.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
tenses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MAN IN BLUE GLASSES.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
precisely as stated
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The nocturnal adventure caused quite an excitement in the house, and very little else was talked of at lunch-time.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading So Miss Britton found that she and her niece were objects of general interest, and they both struggled nobly to describe the adventure intelligibly to the others, though Barbara knew that she got horribly mixed in her French tenses, and was not quite sure whether she understood all the questions the French people put to her.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Aunt Anne had asked Mademoiselle Belvoir if she would rather nothing was said about the affair; but the girl said it was impossible to keep it quiet, as several people had heard the bustle in the night, and were anxious to know all about it.
