used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “I never told a falsehood in my life, Miss Barkham,” Eleanor answered, indignantly.
any person at all
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
assertionnounUS /əˈsɜːrʃən/
a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary)
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
Barkham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
Eleanor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I never told a falsehood in my life, Miss Barkham,” Eleanor answered, indignantly.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
falsehoodnounUS /ˈfælshʊd/
a false statement
From this reading “I never told a falsehood in my life, Miss Barkham,” Eleanor answered, indignantly.
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
intense and profound fear
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
indignantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnəntliː/
in an indignant manner
From this reading “I never told a falsehood in my life, Miss Barkham,” Eleanor answered, indignantly.
LENNARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MAJOR LENNARD.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “I never told a falsehood in my life, Miss Barkham,” Eleanor answered, indignantly.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
MAJORadjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading MAJOR LENNARD.
meritsnounUS /ˈmerəts/
plural of “merit” — any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading MRS.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I never told a falsehood in my life, Miss Barkham,” Eleanor answered, indignantly.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “I never told a falsehood in my life, Miss Barkham,” Eleanor answered, indignantly.
not any; not one
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
on the contrary
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
recommendationnounUS /ˌrekəmənˈdeɪʃən/
something (as a course of action) that is recommended as advisable
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
responsibleadjectiveUS /riˈspɑːnsəbəl/
worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading “I never told a falsehood in my life, Miss Barkham,” Eleanor answered, indignantly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
Villars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
someone who visits
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
in the company of; together with
From this reading Miss Barkham stared at her visitor with a look of mingled horror and astonishment.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You do not surely imagine, Miss Villars,” she said, “that anybody will engage you in the responsible position of governess to their children upon no better recommendation than your own, I must confess, rather _confident_ assertion of your merits?”
