used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
adeptadjectiveUS /əˈdept/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
anew
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am sure she will call as soon as she hears how anxious you are to see her."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
eagerly desirous
From this reading I am sure she will call as soon as she hears how anxious you are to see her."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
beguiledadjectiveUS /bɪˈɡaɪld/
filled with wonder and delight
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I am sure she will call as soon as she hears how anxious you are to see her."
make right or correct
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
crookedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʊkəd/
having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
cross-questioning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
Derwent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
the act of giving
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
good-humour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
hearsverbUS /hiːrz/
third-person singular of “hear” — perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading I am sure she will call as soon as she hears how anxious you are to see her."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am sure she will call as soon as she hears how anxious you are to see her."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I am sure she will call as soon as she hears how anxious you are to see her."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
immediately past
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
the sound of laughing
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
go away from a place
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
nervousnessnounUS /ˈnɜːrvəsnəs/
the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
not one, and not any
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
reiteratingverbUS /riˈɪtəreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “reiterate” — to say, state, or perform again
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
precisely, exactly
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I am sure she will call as soon as she hears how anxious you are to see her."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
skilfullyadverb
with skill
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
smartestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɑːrtəst/
superlative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
in the near future
From this reading I am sure she will call as soon as she hears how anxious you are to see her."
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
express in speech
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
up to a particular time
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading And Mrs Derwent, afraid of beginning to laugh out of sheer nervousness and irritation, gave up the attempt to set her right.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
Wandle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Then followed more cross-questioning, in which the doctor's wife was almost as great an adept as the smartest of great ladies.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "A word from me will be enough: we are such great friends.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She varied her inquiries skilfully from mother to daughters, and back to mother again, till none of the three felt sure what sort of correct or "crooked" answers they had been beguiled into giving, and finally took leave in high good-humour, reiterating at the last that she would not forget to speak to Mrs Wandle; Mrs Derwent might depend upon her.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I am sure she will call as soon as she hears how anxious you are to see her."
