adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The supperless wore a defrauded and injured air.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
AuntienounUS /ˈænti/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
availedverbUS /əˈveɪld/
past form of “avail” — use to one's advantage
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
carenounUS /ker/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading They had the comfortable consciousness of taking care of themselves.
comfortableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading They had the comfortable consciousness of taking care of themselves.
commentingverbUS /ˈkɑːmentɪŋ/
-ing form of “comment” — make or write a comment on
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
complacentlyadverbUS /kəmˈpleɪsəntli/
in a self-satisfied manner
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
consciousnessnounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəsnəs/
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading They had the comfortable consciousness of taking care of themselves.
defraudedverbUS /dɪˈfrɔːdɪd/
past form of “defraud” — deprive of by deceit
From this reading The supperless wore a defrauded and injured air.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/
yet to be or coming
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
HUMANadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading HUMAN NATURE.
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
of great significance or value
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading The supperless wore a defrauded and injured air.
Lammer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
lardernounUS /ˈlɑːrdər/
a supply of food especially for a household
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
NATUREnounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading HUMAN NATURE.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
opportunitynounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
pienounUS /paɪ/
dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
scarcelyadverbUS /ˈskersli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
shrewdlyadverbUS /ˈʃruːdli/
in a shrewd manner
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
supperlessadjective
without supper
From this reading The supperless wore a defrauded and injured air.
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading They had the comfortable consciousness of taking care of themselves.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had the comfortable consciousness of taking care of themselves.
tidingsnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
twinkledverbUS /ˈtwɪŋkəld/
past form of “twinkle” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
uncertaintiesnounUS /ənˈsɜːrtəntiz/
plural of “uncertainty” — being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
whisperingnounUS /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/
a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
From this reading The dismal tidings from the lower regions, that the larder had been stripped and that scarcely even a pie remained, soon became an open secret, about which every one was whispering and commenting.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The eyes of many who had not left so important a duty to the uncertainties of the future, but, like Auntie Lammer, had availed themselves of the first opportunity, now twinkled shrewdly and complacently.
woreverbUS /wɔːr/
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The supperless wore a defrauded and injured air.
