used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
acousticsnounUS /əˈkuːstɪks/
the study of the physical properties of sound
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
attractivelyadverbUS /əˈtræktɪvli/
in a beautiful manner
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Carmina’s inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina’s irresistible sitting-room, in brown.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Carmina’s inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina’s irresistible sitting-room, in brown.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Carmina’s inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina’s irresistible sitting-room, in brown.
Carmina's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carmina’s inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina’s irresistible sitting-room, in brown.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
detectingnounUS /dɪˈtektɪŋ/
a police investigation to determine the perpetrator
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
dinnersnounUS /ˈdɪnərz/
plural of “dinner” — the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
dishonestadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɑːnəst/
deceptive or fraudulent; disposed to cheat or defraud or deceive
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
having made preparations
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
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 At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
at any time
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
faintingverbUS /ˈfeɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “faint” — pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
fitsnounUS /fɪts/
plural of “fit” — a display of bad temper
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
Gallilee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
Gallilee's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
gracefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪsfəli/
in a graceful manner
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
headingnounUS /ˈhedɪŋ/
a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
infallibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfæləbəl/
incapable of failure or error
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Carmina’s inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina’s irresistible sitting-room, in brown.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading Carmina’s inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina’s irresistible sitting-room, in brown.
irresistibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbəl/
impossible to resist; overpowering
From this reading Carmina’s inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina’s irresistible sitting-room, in brown.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
managingverbUS /ˈmænədʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Carmina’s inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina’s irresistible sitting-room, in brown.
orderingnounUS /ˈɔːrdərɪŋ/
logical or comprehensible arrangement of separate elements
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
oversightnounUS /ˈoʊvərsaɪt/
an unintentional omission resulting from failure to notice something
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
refractoryadjectiveUS /rəˈfræktəri/
not responding to treatment
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carmina’s inviting bedroom, in blue, opened into Carmina’s irresistible sitting-room, in brown.
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
superintendencenoun
management by overseeing the performance or operation of a person or group
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
tradespeoplenoun
people engaged in trade
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
ventilationnounUS /ˌventəˈleɪʃən/
the act of supplying fresh air and getting rid of foul air
From this reading The ventilation was arranged, the light and shade were disposed, the flowers were attractively placed, under Mrs. Gallilee’s infallible superintendence.
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Gallilee was as complete a mistress of the practice of domestic virtue as of the theory of acoustics and fainting fits.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Her preparations for the reception of her niece were finished in advance, without an oversight in the smallest detail.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading At dressing with taste, and ordering dinners with invention; at heading her table gracefully, and making her guests comfortable; at managing refractory servants and detecting dishonest tradespeople, she was the equal of the least intellectual woman that ever lived.
