used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STARTLING LETTER.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
quickly and without warning
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
bright-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
Carlyon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
congé
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
criminallyadverbUS /ˈkrɪmənəli/
in a shameful manner
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
dismissalnounUS /dɪˈsmɪsəl/
a judgment disposing of the matter without a trial
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
Dulcie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
executionnounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃən/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
Fettercairn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
a young female
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
golden-haired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
instructedverbUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “instruct” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
Kippilaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
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 Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
the act of departing
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading A STARTLING LETTER.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
mortificationnounUS /ˈmɔːrtəfkeɪʃən/
strong feelings of embarrassment
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
used to form the superlative
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
a form of address for a man
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
prosecuteverbUS /ˈprɑːsəkjuːt/
conduct a prosecution in a court of law
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
querulouslyadverb
in a peevish manner
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
express in words
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
STARTLINGadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading A STARTLING LETTER.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
substituteverbUS /ˈsʌbstətuːt/
put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
sweetlyadverbUS /ˈswiːtli/
in an affectionate or loving manner (“sweet” is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of “sweetly”)
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
unforeseenadjectiveUS /ˌʌnfɔːrˈsiːn/
not anticipated
From this reading She regretted that she had not anticipated such an unforeseen event by dismissal.
unprincipledadjectiveUS /ənˈprɪnsəpəld/
lacking principles or moral scruples
From this reading 'Miss Carlyon has put me in a most awkward position,' she said querulously; 'her conduct has been most unprincipled, in leaving me thus abruptly, before I could look about me for a substitute; and I think Mr. Kippilaw might be instructed to prosecute her criminally.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The step taken by Dulcie was a source of great mortification to Lady Fettercairn.
(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 Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
at the time that
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
which person or people
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Visitors, she knew, would miss the bright-faced, golden-haired English girl who--when permitted--played with such good execution, and sang so well and sweetly; and Lady Fettercairn could not, with a clear conscience, say that she had given her her _congé_, or why.
