used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
airingnounUS /ˈerɪŋ/
the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
Chetwynd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
a female human offspring
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
recognizable; marked
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
not any; not one
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
nuptialsnounUS /ˈnʌptʃəlz/
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
objectionnounUS /əbˈdʒekʃən/
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
something you have to do
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
on one occasion
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
plasticadjectiveUS /ˈplæstɪk/
capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material)
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
postponementnounUS /poʊstˈpoʊnmənt/
time during which some action is awaited
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
securingverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
term of address for a man
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
carry out
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
a special situation
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
precisely as stated
From this reading "She has indeed been very difficult to manage, and really, though I am speaking of my own daughter, I never can quite understand Ethel; she is not like other girls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Since the thing was to be, there was nothing to be gained by postponement.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading So decided the Duchess, and however fond of airing her own sentiments and securing her own way Lady Ethel might be, on ordinary occasions, for once she raised no objection.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was perfectly willing that her marriage with Sir John Chetwynd should take place at once.
wontnounUS /woʊnt/
an established custom
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Perhaps in her home Lady Ethel was not quite the plastic lay figure she was wont to appear in public, and the Duchess had spoken to her most intimate and confidential friends of the approaching nuptials with almost a sigh of relief, and a whispered word.
