used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
abstractionsnounUS /æbˈstrækʃənz/
plural of “abstraction” — a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
react verbally
From this reading "Very well," was her submissive answer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I want to see her before tea."
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
one or the other of two
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I want to see her before tea."
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
Hubert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I want to see her before tea."
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
Lily'snounUS /ˈlɪliːz/
possessive form of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
take the midday meal
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
not any; not one
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I want to see her before tea."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
submissiveadjectiveUS /səbˈmɪsɪv/
inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination
From this reading "Very well," was her submissive answer.
TACTnounUS /tækt/
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading I want to see her before tea."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Very well," was her submissive answer.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading I want to see her before tea."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Very well," was her submissive answer.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But this life of a housekeeper--how could she endure it after what had been?
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading TACT Hubert at lunch made no reference whatever either to their own drawn battle or to that other, of which the sounds, she feared, might easily have reached him.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading His one remark, indeed, beyond the usual polite abstractions for Lily's benefit, was "Ruth will be here at four o'clock.
