1818
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
1823
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
affectionnounUS /əˈfekʃən/
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In short, she treated her Hector as a mother treats a spoilt child.
assoluta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
BaronnounUS /ˈbærən/
a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
BaronessnounUS /ˈberənɪs/
a noblewoman who holds the rank of baron or who is the wife or widow of a baron
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading In short, she treated her Hector as a mother treats a spoilt child.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
donnanounUS /ˈdɑːnə/
an Italian woman of rank
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
earsnounUS /ɪrz/
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
EmpirenounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
feelverbUS /fiːl/
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
finalenounUS /fəˈnæli/
the closing section of a musical composition
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
gentleadjectiveUS /ˈdʒentəl/
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
grandadjectiveUS /ɡrænd/
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
HectornounUS /ˈhektər/
(Greek mythology) a mythical Trojan who was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War
From this reading In short, she treated her Hector as a mother treats a spoilt child.
Hector'snounUS /ˈhektərz/
possessive form of “hector” — (Greek mythology) a mythical Trojan who was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
helpmates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
householdnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊld/
a social unit living together
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
Hulot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
husbandsnounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
plural of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
infidelitiesnounUS /ˌɪnfɪˈdelɪtiz/
plural of “infidelity” — the quality of being unfaithful
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
inveterateadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvetərət/
habitual
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading In short, she treated her Hector as a mother treats a spoilt child.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
officialadjectiveUS /əˈfɪʃəl/
having official authority or sanction
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
old-fashionedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊldˈfæʃənd/
out of fashion
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
primanounUS /ˈpriːmə/
used primarily as eating apples
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
proceedingsnounUS /proʊˈsiːdɪŋz/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
reproofnoun
an act or expression of criticism and censure
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
resignedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪnd/
past form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading In short, she treated her Hector as a mother treats a spoilt child.
shutverbUS /ʃʌt/
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
spoiltadjective
having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention
From this reading In short, she treated her Hector as a mother treats a spoilt child.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
subsistverbUS /səbˈsɪst/
support oneself
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Madame Hulot dated her Hector’s first infidelities from the grand _finale_ of the Empire.
ThusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
treatedadjectiveUS /ˈtriːtɪd/
subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent
From this reading In short, she treated her Hector as a mother treats a spoilt child.
treatsnounUS /triːts/
plural of “treat” — something considered choice to eat
From this reading In short, she treated her Hector as a mother treats a spoilt child.
twelvenounUS /twelv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
virtuousadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːəs/
morally excellent
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
wivesnounUS /waɪvz/
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
womankindnoun
women as distinguished from men
From this reading From 1818 till 1823, having no official occupation, Baron Hulot had gone on active service to womankind.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She still could boast of the old-fashioned, inveterate affection which husbands feel for wives who are resigned to be gentle and virtuous helpmates; she knew that if she had a rival, that rival would not subsist for two hours under a word of reproof from herself; but she shut her eyes, she stopped her ears, she would know nothing of her husband’s proceedings outside his home.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Thus, for twelve years the Baroness had filled the part in her household of _prima donna assoluta_, without a rival.
