adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
bustverbUS /bʌst/
ruin completely
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
carefullyadverbUS /ˈkerfəli/
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
correctlyadverbUS /kərˈektli/
in an accurate manner
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
dividedadjectiveUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪd/
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
DONAnounUS /ˈdoʊnə/
a Spanish courtesy title or form of address for a woman
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
Doña
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
EnterverbUS /ˈentər/
to come or go into
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
epistles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
evokedadjectiveUS /ɪˈvoʊkt/
called forth from a latent or potential state by stimulation
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
fallsnounUS /fɔːlz/
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
firmadjectiveUS /fɜːrm/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
formeradjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmər/
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
hair-stroke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
handsomeadjectiveUS /ˈhænsəm/
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
imaginationnounUS /ˌɪmædʒəˈneɪʃən/
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
of great significance or value
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
lampnounUS /læmp/
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
latenessnounUS /ˈleɪtnəs/
quality of coming late or later in time
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
luminousadjectiveUS /ˈluːmənəs/
softly bright or radiant
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
meditationnounUS /ˌmedəˈteɪʃən/
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
notwithstandingadverbUS /ˌnɑːtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
PERFECTAnounUS /pərˈfektə/
a bet that you can pick the first and second finishers in the right order
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
preservingverbUS /prəˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
-ing form of “preserve” — keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
pursuesverbUS /pərˈsuːz/
third-person singular of “pursue” — carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
remainsnounUS /rɪˈmeɪnz/
any object that is left unused or still extant
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
SeeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
seemsverbUS /siːmz/
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
Señora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
statementnounUS /ˈsteɪtmənt/
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
tranquillitynounUS /træŋˈkwɪlɪti/
an untroubled state; free from disturbances
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
vagueadjectiveUS /veɪɡ/
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading She seems like a luminous figure evoked by the imagination from amid the vague shadows of fear.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It is strange that we should not have made before this a very important statement, which is that Doña Perfecta was handsome, or rather that she was still handsome, her face preserving the remains of former beauty.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The light of the lamp falls full upon her face and bust and hands, its shade leaving the rest of her person and almost the whole of the room in a soft shadow.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
wordedverbUS /ˈwɜːrdɪd/
past form of “word” — put into words or an expression
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
writingnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/
the act of creating written works
From this reading DONA PERFECTA See with what tranquillity Señora Doña Perfecta pursues her occupation of writing.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Enter her room, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, you will surprise her busily engaged, her mind divided between meditation and the writing of several long and carefully worded epistles traced with a firm hand, every hair-stroke of every letter in which is correctly formed.
