used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
highly skilled
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
(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 The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
detailedadjectiveUS /dɪˈteɪld/
developed or executed with care and in minute detail
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
Dinah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
having made preparations
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
distastefuladjectiveUS /dɪˈsteɪstfəl/
not pleasing in odor or taste
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
drasticadjectiveUS /ˈdræstɪk/
forceful and extreme and rigorous
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
epistlenounUS /ɪˈpɪsəl/
a specially long, formal letter
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
extravagancenounUS /ekˈstrævəɡəns/
the quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
set up or found
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
gloriesnounUS /ˈɡlɔːriz/
plural of “glory” — a state of high honor
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
high-flownadjective
pretentious (especially with regard to language or ideals)
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
inditing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
labouredadjective
lacking natural ease
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
missives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
on one occasion
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
and nothing more
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
peculiarlyadverbUS /pɪˈkjuːljərli/
uniquely or characteristically
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
by chance
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
move upward
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
express in words
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
scribbledverbUS /ˈskrɪbəld/
past form of “scribble” — write down quickly without much attention to detail
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
sleigh-drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sleigh-drive of the day before was disposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not be mentioned at all.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
termedverbUS /tɜːrmd/
past form of “term” — name formally or designate with a term
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
uncomfortablyadverbUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in physical discomfort
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
verandahnoun
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affair from the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
at the time that
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity be accomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarly distasteful.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of description when she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termed high-flown and ridiculous.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that a detailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment.
