used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Laline was in bed but not asleep.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading She lay awake, thinking with interest of her new surroundings.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Laline was in bed but not asleep.
bedroomsnounUS /ˈbedruːmz/
plural of “bedroom” — a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Laline was in bed but not asleep.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
Cavan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
Clare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
dictationnounUS /dɪkˈteɪʃən/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Laline was in bed but not asleep.
incomprehensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪŋkɑːmprəˈhensɪbəl/
incapable of being explained or accounted for
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading She lay awake, thinking with interest of her new surroundings.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
jargonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːrɡən/
a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
Laline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laline was in bed but not asleep.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She lay awake, thinking with interest of her new surroundings.
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 Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Laline was in bed but not asleep.
held or filled or in use
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She lay awake, thinking with interest of her new surroundings.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
respectivelyadverbUS /rɪˈspektɪvli/
in the order given
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
semi-mystical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
with low volume
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading She lay awake, thinking with interest of her new surroundings.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
thankedverbUS /θæŋkt/
past form of “thank” — express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading She lay awake, thinking with interest of her new surroundings.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
the upper part of anything
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
treatisenounUS /ˈtriːtəs/
a formal exposition
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
Vandeleur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
Vandeleur's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Laline was in bed but not asleep.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
at the time that
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
in or at the place that
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She lay awake, thinking with interest of her new surroundings.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Her work that evening had been writing at the dictation of Mrs. Vandeleur a long treatise concerning second sight.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading That night, when Clare Cavan returned at midnight from her reception, she thanked the yawning Susan for sitting up for her, and softly proceeded to the top floor, where were three bedrooms occupied respectively by Mrs. Vandeleur's two servants, and by her niece and her new secretary.
but in spite of that
From this reading Part of it she had understood, and part had been wholly incomprehensible to her, as she was not yet accustomed to the semi-mystical jargon in which Mrs. Vandeleur clothed her ideas.
