used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
auburnadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbərn/
(of hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
not accessible to view
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
set up or found
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
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 now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
languishingverbUS /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “languish” — lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
for more time
From this reading Lady Mandeville was at this time no longer in the very prime of youth.
magnificentlyadverbUS /mæɡˈnɪfəsəntli/
extremely well
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
Mandeville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
not any; not one
From this reading Lady Mandeville was at this time no longer in the very prime of youth.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lady Mandeville was at this time no longer in the very prime of youth.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
on one occasion
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
and nothing more
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
ornamentedverbUS /ˈɔːrnəmentɪd/
past form of “ornament” — make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
pedantrynounUS /ˈpedəntri/
an ostentatious and inappropriate display of learning
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
polishnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃ/
the property of being smooth and shiny
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
prettilyadverb
in a pretty manner
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
primeadjectiveUS /praɪm/
first in rank or degree
From this reading Lady Mandeville was at this time no longer in the very prime of youth.
on the contrary
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
recliningnounUS /rɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/
the act of assuming or maintaining a reclining position
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
reverseverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrs/
change to the contrary
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
ringlets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
seduces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
shawlnounUS /ʃɔːl/
cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
sofanounUS /ˈsoʊfə/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lady Mandeville was at this time no longer in the very prime of youth.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Lady Mandeville was at this time no longer in the very prime of youth.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Lady Mandeville was at this time no longer in the very prime of youth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Long as she had now been known to Lady Mandeville, she had only once before seen her at her own house.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading On the contrary, it rather was the reverse, and a certain pedantry took off much from the charm of her conversation.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
precisely as stated
From this reading Lady Mandeville was at this time no longer in the very prime of youth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She now found her reclining upon a sofa in an apartment more prettily than magnificently ornamented:—a shawl was thrown gracefully over her; and her hair, in dark auburn ringlets, half concealed her languishing blue eyes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
winsnounUS /wɪnz/
plural of “win” — a victory (as in a race or other competition)
From this reading Her air and manner had not that high polish, which at first sight seduces and wins.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Lady Mandeville was at this time no longer in the very prime of youth.
