Chapter VI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

plural of “accent” — distinctive manner of oral expression

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

later than; following

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

subject to appointment

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

the month following March and preceding May

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

(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 Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

woven by (or as if by) braiding

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

clothing in general

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

(of hair) made tidy with a comb

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

fully understood or grasped

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

put on clothes

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

your parents

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

a young female

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

light informal conversation for social occasions

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

deliver a sharp blow or push

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

hear with intention

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

a female domestic

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

engage in

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

used to form the superlative

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

a daughter of your brother or sister

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

on one occasion

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

in or at that place or location

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

not known or well known

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

at the time that

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A good deal of the talk Dorothea could make neither head nor tail of, but she liked to listen to the soft Southern accents and smiled more than once at the unfamiliar expressions, of which she comprehended but half the meaning.

during the time that

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading RED STRINGS One of those most deeply interested in the arrival of Dorothea was Lucy, the colored girl whom Mrs. May had appointed to attend upon her niece.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She was almost dressed when there was a knock at the door and Miss Imogene floated into the room with her bright, bird-like air.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Her mistress’s pretty clothes set the little maid in an ecstasy of delight and she would have liked nothing better than to dress Dorothea in all of them, one after the other, to see how they looked.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading She was ready for all sorts of gossip, and while she combed and braided her young lady’s hair she talked at a great rate of the quality folks in the neighborhood, of “Ol’ Miss,” as she called Mrs. May, and “Young Miss,” meaning April.