used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
a former copper coin of Pakistan and India
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
AwfullyadverbUS /ˈɑːfli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading "Awfully sad, isn't it?" she was saying.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
boudoirnounUS /ˈbuːdɔɪr/
a lady's bedroom or private sitting room
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
Christine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
Fanshaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
a young female
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Awfully sad, isn't it?" she was saying.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
march in a procession
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
not any; not one
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
plumpadjectiveUS /plʌmp/
sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
on the contrary
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading "Awfully sad, isn't it?" she was saying.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading "Awfully sad, isn't it?" she was saying.
screennounUS /skriːn/
a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
self-confidencenounUS /ˌselfˈkɑːnfədəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
Selford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
VINDICATIONnounUS /vɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A VINDICATION OF CONSCIENCE It was a dull chilly afternoon in March.
(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 Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
which person or people
From this reading She held a screen between the flames and her face, and turned her eyes on Anna Selford, who was paying her a call.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Christine Fanshaw huddled her slight little figure--she looked as if the cold would cut right through her--over a blazing fire in her boudoir.
would-beadjective
unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
a late time of life
From this reading Anna was a plump dark girl, by no means pretty, but with a shrewd look about her and an air of self-confidence rather too assured for her years; she was dressed in a would-be artistic fashion, not well suited to her natural style.
