used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
ADAnounUS /ˈeɪdə/
an enzyme found in mammals that can catalyze the deamination of adenosine into inosine and ammonia
From this reading ADA HARCOURT.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
(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 After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
a young person of either sex
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
divingnounUS /ˈdaɪvɪŋ/
an athletic competition that involves diving into water
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
drawernounUS /drɔːr/
a boxlike container in a piece of furniture; made so as to slide in and out
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
put on clothes
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
giftedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪftəd/
endowed with talent or talents
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
HARCOURT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ADA HARCOURT.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
intellectnounUS /ˈɪntəlekt/
knowledge and intellectual ability
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
ironedadjectiveUS /ˈaɪərnd/
(of linens or clothes) smoothed with a hot iron
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
and nothing more
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
muslinnounUS /ˈmʌzlən/
plain-woven cotton fabric
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
and nothing more
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
recessesnounUS /ˈriːsesəz/
plural of “recess” — a state of abeyance or suspended business
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As she was about to put them on her mother returned from a drawer, into the recesses of which she had been diving, and from which she brought a paper carefully folded.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
scantilyadverbUS /ˈskæntəli/
in a skimpy manner
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
a source of difficulty
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
washedadjectiveUS /wɑːʃt/
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
(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 The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After her dress was arranged she went to the table for her old white gloves, the cleaning of which had cost her much trouble, for her mother did not seem to be at all interested in them, so Ada did as well as she could.
a Caucasian
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
which person or people
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading In a small and neat, but scantily furnished chamber, a poor widow was preparing her only child, Ada, for the party.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
a late time of life
From this reading The plain, white muslin dress of two years old had been washed and ironed so carefully that Ada said it looked just as well as new; but then everything looked well on Ada Harcourt, who was highly gifted, both with intellect and beauty.
