used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
any thing at all
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Aunt Nancy revelled in details.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
birthsnounUS /bɜːrθs/
plural of “birth” — the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
CarolineadjectiveUS /ˈkerəlaɪn/
of or relating to the life and times of kings Charles I or Charles II of England
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
COULDN'T
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
crimsons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
deathsnounUS /deθs/
plural of “death” — the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
delightsnounUS /dɪˈlaɪts/
plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
true confidential information
From this reading Nor did they spare details.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Nor did they spare details.
disregardverbUS /ˌdɪsrɪˈɡɑːrd/
refuse to acknowledge
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
dissectedadjectiveUS /daɪˈsektəd/
having one or more indentations reaching nearly to the midrib
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
Emily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
a social unit living together
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
ghoulishadjectiveUS /ˈɡuːlɪʃ/
suggesting the horror of death and decay
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
Great-Auntnoun
an aunt of your father or mother
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
HAVEauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
historiesnounUS /ˈhɪstəriz/
plural of “history” — the aggregate of past events
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Aunt Nancy revelled in details.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
long-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
plural of “love” — a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
merry-makings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor did they spare details.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
revelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Nancy revelled in details.
ruthlesslyadverbUS /ˈruːθləsli/
in a ruthless manner
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
scandalsnounUS /ˈskændəlz/
plural of “scandal” — disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
sinsnounUS /sɪnz/
plural of “sin” — estrangement from god
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
refrain from harming
From this reading Nor did they spare details.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
tragediesnounUS /ˈtrædʒədiz/
plural of “tragedy” — an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Loves, births, deaths, scandals, tragedies--anything that came into their old heads.
weaknessesnounUS /ˈwiːknəsəz/
plural of “weakness” — a flaw or weak point
From this reading She forgot nothing, and sins and weaknesses that death had covered and time shown mercy to were ruthlessly dragged out and dissected by this ghoulish old lady.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading “SHE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT” Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest were wont to colour their grey days with the remembered crimsons of old, long-past delights and merry-makings, but they went further than this and talked over any number of old family histories before Emily with a total disregard of her youth.
