used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
adoptingverbUS /əˈdɑːptɪŋ/
-ing form of “adopt” — choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
alertlyadverbUS /əˈlɜːrtli/
in mentally perceptive and responsive way
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
alightverbUS /əˈlaɪt/
to come to rest, settle
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
Ames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
beenounUS /biː/
any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
see with attention
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
biddenverbUS /ˈbɪdɪn/
inflected form of “bid” — propose a payment
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
busiestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪziəst/
superlative of “busy” — actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
butterflyverbUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
flutter like a butterfly
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
butterflyhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
Dorothea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
one or the other of two
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
enterprisingadjectiveUS /ˈentərpraɪzɪŋ/
marked by imagination, initiative, and readiness to undertake new projects
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
entomologicaladjective
of or relating to the biological science of entomology
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
Fenchester's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
flitterverb
move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
set up or found
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
fructifying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
a state of high honor
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
harder-worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
an indirect suggestion
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
honey-collector
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
industriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəs/
characterized by hard work and perseverance
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
inhereverb
be inherent in something
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
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 Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
Letitia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
full of life and energy
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
a woman of refinement
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
Marcia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
metaphornounUS /ˈmetəfɔːr/
a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
mothnounUS /mɔːθ/
typically crepuscular or nocturnal insect having a stout body and feathery or hairlike antennae
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
pollennounUS /ˈpɑːlən/
the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
Pritchard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
proclivitiesnounUS /proʊˈklɪvətiz/
plural of “proclivity” — a natural inclination
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
proselytizingverbUS /ˈprɑːsələtaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “proselytize” — convert to another faith or religion
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
proverbiallyadverb
in the manner of something that has become a byword
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
on the contrary
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
schedulenounUS /ˈskedʒʊl/
a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
semi-secrecy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
not in physical motion
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
required or under orders
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
suspiciousadjectiveUS /səˈspɪʃəs/
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
TaylornounUS /ˈteɪlər/
United States composer and music critic (1885-1966)
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SUCH advantage as the bee may boast over the butterfly is proverbially supposed to inhere in its industrious habits.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
trailingnounUS /ˈtreɪlɪŋ/
the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
venerableadjectiveUS /ˈvenərəbəl/
impressive by reason of age
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
VisitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading Visiting these upon her proselytizing errand, this enterprising flitter, still trailing clouds of glory from her butterflyhood, left behind her the fructifying pollen of the Great Idea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
waspnounUS /wɑːsp/
a white person of Anglo-Saxon ancestry who belongs to a Protestant denomination
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
whereof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behold our bee, now, hovering about the garden of that ancient but still lively wasp, Madam Dorothea Taylor, until bidden to alight and state her errand, whereof the venerable one, having already received some hint from her friend, Letitia Pritchard, is alertly suspicious.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading In one respect--to carry the entomological metaphor a step farther--she was like a moth rather than either the butterfly or the bee, since her good works, to be effective, must needs be carried on in the dusk of a semi-secrecy.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading But Miss Marcia Ames, now adopting the schedule of the bee at its busiest, found her earlier butterfly proclivities of advantage in that they had put her in touch with certain flowers of Fenchester’s social world with which the harder-worked honey-collector might not have been so familiar.
