Chapter XIV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

(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 A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

the act of putting a person into a non-elective position

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Beneath a calm exterior something brooded.

past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something

From this reading Beneath a calm exterior something brooded.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

make calm or still

From this reading Beneath a calm exterior something brooded.

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading Sylvia climbed the hill in the dusk.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

someone who makes or mends dresses

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading Sylvia climbed the hill in the dusk.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

the region that is outside of something

From this reading Beneath a calm exterior something brooded.

the organ of sight

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

something regarded with special favor or liking

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

destroyed or killed

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Sylvia climbed the hill in the dusk.

not in action or at work

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Sylvia climbed the hill in the dusk.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

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 You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

past form of “remark” — make mention of

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

precisely, exactly

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Beneath a calm exterior something brooded.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

required or under orders

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sylvia climbed the hill in the dusk.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Sylvia climbed the hill in the dusk.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

(informal) small and of little importance

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

lacking in schooling

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

which person or people

From this reading Sylvia was not an unschooled creature who would let down the scroll of her life's story to be read by every idle eye.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading A casual observer would have remarked that all was not right with her.

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You might have supposed that some of the trivial things of existence had gone wrong: that a favorite servant had left her, or that the dressmaker had failed to keep an appointment.