used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
aboundverbUS /əˈbaʊnd/
be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
benevolentadjectiveUS /bəˈnevələnt/
intending or showing kindness
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
callersnounUS /ˈkɔːlərz/
plural of “caller” — a social or business visitor
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
emulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
encourageverbUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒ/
contribute to the progress or growth of
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
entertainernounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnər/
a person who tries to please or amuse
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
a social unit living together
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
come to pass
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
Hester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
hospitableadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːˈspɪtəbəl/
favorable to life and growth
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
of great significance or value
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
not any; not one
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
not one, and not any
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
and nothing more
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
pensionersnounUS /ˈpenʃənərz/
plural of “pensioner” — the beneficiary of a pension fund
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
by chance
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
rivalship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
carry out
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
Vernon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
Vernonry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Girls there were none about the Vernonry, nor did they abound in the neighbourhood, in the class from which alone her mother's visitors were chosen.
which person or people
From this reading She did not altogether frown upon the few callers from the town who thought it only their duty to Miss Vernon, the most hospitable entertainer in the neighbourhood, to take a little notice of the pensioners, as the poor ladies at the Vernonry were called; but she did not encourage these benevolent visitors.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There had been no opportunity for her to become acquainted with the emulations and rivalship of other girls.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Mrs. John, it has been said, belonged to a county family, a fact of which she was as proud as it is natural and becoming a woman should be.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It was about this time that Hester became aware of a circumstance the most important that could possibly happen in a young woman's life.
