used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
on or to one side
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
commencementnounUS /kəˈmensmənt/
the time at which something is supposed to begin
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
cousin'snounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
possessive form of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
inducedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈduːst/
brought about or caused; not spontaneous
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
injudiciousadjectiveUS /ˌɪndʒʌˈdɪʃəs/
lacking or showing lack of judgment or discretion; unwise
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
a unit of instruction
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
MacleodnounUS /məˈklaʊd/
Scottish physiologist who directed the research by F. G. Banting and C. H. Best that led to the discovery of insulin (1876-1935)
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
engage in
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
MatchingadjectiveUS /ˈmætʃɪŋ/
being two identical
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
come together
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
not any; not one
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
by chance
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
PriorynounUS /ˈpraɪəri/
religious residence in a monastery governed by a prior or a convent governed by a prioress
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
determined
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light.
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
bound or secured closely
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
in the direction of
From this reading Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light.
UpwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had told herself so often that she was quite separated from them, that the slight accident of blood in no way tied her to them or them to her,--this lesson had been so thoroughly taught to her by the injudicious attempts of Lady Macleod to teach an opposite lesson, that she did not like the idea of putting aside the effect of that teaching.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And perhaps she was a little afraid of the great folk whom she might probably meet at her cousin's house.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But she feared this commencement of a closer connection with her great relations.
but in spite of that
From this reading Before the day came on which Alice was to go to Matching Priory, she had often regretted that she had been induced to make the promise, and yet she had as often resolved that there was no possible reason why she should not go to Matching Priory.
