used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
admirersnounUS /ədˈmaɪrərz/
plural of “admirer” — a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
all-importantadjective
of the greatest importance
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
exhale hard
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
boudoirnounUS /ˈbuːdɔɪr/
a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
conningverbUS /ˈkɑːnɪŋ/
inflected form of “con” — deprive of by deceit
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
cruelestadjectiveUS /ˈkruːləst/
superlative of “cruel” — (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
a young female
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
heiressnounUS /ˈerəs/
a female heir
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
incredulouslyadverb
in an incredulous manner
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
keenestadjectiveUS /ˈkiːnəst/
superlative of “keen” — having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
immediately past
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
lavishedverbUS /ˈlævɪʃt/
past form of “lavish” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
lovableadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvəbəl/
having characteristics that attract love or affection
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
and nothing more
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
penningnounUS /ˈpenɪŋ/
the act of creating written works
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
pettedverbUS /ˈpetɪd/
inflected form of “pet” — stroke or caress gently
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
Pluma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
by chance
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/
in a restless manner
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
RexnounUS /reks/
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
shrinkingnounUS /ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
process or result of becoming less or smaller
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading "Was that simple girl, with her shy, timid, shrinking manner, more lovable than I?" she asked herself, incredulously.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
vanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading It was not only a blow of the keenest and cruelest kind to her affection, but it was the cruelest blow her vanity could possibly have received.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
wealthyadjectiveUS /ˈwelθi/
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Rex was penning his all-important letter in his room, Pluma was walking restlessly to and fro in her boudoir, conning over in her mind the events of the evening.
which person or people
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading To think that she, the wealthy, petted heiress, who counted her admirers by the score, should have tried so hard to win the love of this one man and have failed; that her beauty, her grace, her wit, and her talent had been lavished upon him, and lavished in vain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Rex had asked her to be his wife, but she stood face to face with the truth at last--he did not love her.
