used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “You may as well stay where you are, I think,” said Henry.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
see with attention
From this reading … Why should these eyes behold it?”
eat an early morning meal
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
a movement into or inward
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
divisible by two
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
opinion or judgment
From this reading … Why should these eyes behold it?”
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
Fingall's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “You may as well stay where you are, I think,” said Henry.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading … Why should these eyes behold it?”
Julia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “You may as well stay where you are, I think,” said Henry.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
not any; not one
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
held or filled or in use
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
perceivingverbUS /pərˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “perceive” — to become aware of through the senses
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
procuredverbUS /proʊˈkjʊrd/
past form of “procure” — get by special effort
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
retireverbUS /rɪˈtaɪr/
go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “You may as well stay where you are, I think,” said Henry.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading … Why should these eyes behold it?”
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading “You may as well stay where you are, I think,” said Henry.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading … Why should these eyes behold it?”
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “You may as well stay where you are, I think,” said Henry.
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
in the direction of
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
violetsnounUS /ˈvaɪələts/
plural of “violet” — any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But on entering and perceiving Henry seated alone reading a newspaper, and no appearance of even preparation for breakfast, she was about to retire.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
(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 “You may as well stay where you are, I think,” said Henry.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
in or at the place that
From this reading “You may as well stay where you are, I think,” said Henry.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading As the sisters were descending to breakfast, Frances returned up stairs for some violets which Alice had with great difficulty procured for her, and which she had forgotten on her dressing table, while Julia proceeded towards a room their party had occupied the evening before.
belonging to which person
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading … Why should these eyes behold it?”
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
the words that are spoken
From this reading “Weary not with thy vain words her whose faith Is Fingall’s.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You may as well stay where you are, I think,” said Henry.
