used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading But presently the lady at the table asked-- "Is Miss Blanchflower getting up?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
Blanchflower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But presently the lady at the table asked-- "Is Miss Blanchflower getting up?"
breakfast-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
classifyingverbUS /ˈklæsəfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “classify” — arrange or order by classes or categories
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
deniedverbUS /dɪˈnaɪd/
inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
Gertrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading But presently the lady at the table asked-- "Is Miss Blanchflower getting up?"
the act of giving
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
heapsnounUS /hiːps/
a large number or amount
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But presently the lady at the table asked-- "Is Miss Blanchflower getting up?"
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 The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading But presently the lady at the table asked-- "Is Miss Blanchflower getting up?"
the literary culture
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
MarvellnounUS /mɑːrˈvel/
English poet (1621-1678)
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
Maumsey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
parlourmaidnoun
a maid in a private home whose duties are to care for the parlor and the table and to answer the door
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
in the near future
From this reading But presently the lady at the table asked-- "Is Miss Blanchflower getting up?"
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
rememberingnounUS /rɪˈmembərɪŋ/
the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
resentedverbUS /riˈzentɪd/
past form of “resent” — feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
only a very short time before
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading But presently the lady at the table asked-- "Is Miss Blanchflower getting up?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
toastverbUS /toʊst/
make brown and crisp by heating
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But presently the lady at the table asked-- "Is Miss Blanchflower getting up?"
precisely as stated
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gertrude Marvell was sitting alone at the Maumsey breakfast-table, in the pale light of a December day.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The parlourmaid waited on her, but knew very well--and resented the knowledge--that Miss Marvell was scarcely aware of her existence, or her presence in the room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All around her were letters and newspapers, to which she was giving an attention entirely denied to her meal.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She opened them one after another, with a frown or a look of satisfaction, classifying them in heaps as she read, and occasionally remembering her coffee or her toast.
