used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DRAWN BATTLE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The longer she looked at the complication the less she liked it.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading A DRAWN BATTLE.
besetverbUS /bɪˈset/
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
braceverbUS /breɪs/
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
complicationnounUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act or process of complicating
From this reading The longer she looked at the complication the less she liked it.
carefully weighed
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading A DRAWN BATTLE.
dressing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
entertainverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪn/
provide entertainment for
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
set up or found
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
game-keeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
gravitynounUS /ˈɡrævəti/
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
highest in quality
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
Hallaton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
huntsnounUS /hʌnts/
plural of “hunt” — Englishman and Pre-Raphaelite painter (1827-1910)
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The longer she looked at the complication the less she liked it.
Jin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
Lascelles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The longer she looked at the complication the less she liked it.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading The longer she looked at the complication the less she liked it.
for more time
From this reading The longer she looked at the complication the less she liked it.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The longer she looked at the complication the less she liked it.
loversnounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
OperanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/
plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
perplexities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
pointersnounUS /ˈpɔɪntərz/
plural of “pointer” — a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
positionsnounUS /pəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
on the contrary
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
retiringadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
RossnounUS /rɑːs/
Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Taking off her ornaments, and laying them one by one on the dressing-table, she reflected sadly on the relative positions of her two greatest friends, Jin Ross and Helen Hallaton.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Lascelles, retiring for the night, or rather morning, on her return from the Opera, found herself beset with troubles and perplexities of unusual gravity.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading For a woman to entertain two lovers, as a game-keeper hunts a brace of pointers, she considered natural enough.
