used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
addictedadjectiveUS /əˈdɪktɪd/
compulsively or physiologically dependent on something habit-forming
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
auxiliaryadjectiveUS /ɑːɡˈzɪljəri/
functioning in a supporting capacity
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
conscientiouslyadverbUS /ˌkɑːntʃiˈentʃəsli/
with extreme conscientiousness
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
contemplatedverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/
past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
characterized by great determination
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading Her motives were distinct enough.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
embarrassmentnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənt/
the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
foresawverbUS /ˌfɔːrˈsɔː/
inflected form of “foresee” — realize beforehand
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
frivolitynounUS /frəˈvɑːləti/
the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
glimpsedverbUS /ɡlɪmpst/
past form of “glimpse” — catch a glimpse of or see briefly
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
of great significance or value
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
incumbentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkʌmbənt/
lying or leaning on something else
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
long-sighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
and nothing more
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading Her motives were distinct enough.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
a human being
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
on the contrary
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
Setons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
Stormont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
a source of difficulty
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
undertakenverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪkən/
inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her motives were distinct enough.
at the time that
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But Mrs. Stormont was not a person whom it was easy to move from her purpose.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If she foresaw in her sober and long-sighted intelligence the embarrassment it was likely to bring into her son's relations with the Setons, this was merely by the way, and not important enough to rank with her as a motive.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was a serious woman, little addicted to balls, but, when she had determined upon this frivolity, it became to her a piece of business as incumbent upon her, and to be undertaken as conscientiously, as any other duty.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading She glimpsed at it in passing as an auxiliary advantage rather than contemplated it as worth the trouble she was taking in itself.
