used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
colognenounUS /kəˈloʊn/
a commercial center and river port in western Germany on the Rhine River; flourished during the 15th century as a member of the Hanseatic League
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
counterplotnoun
a plot intended to subvert another plot
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
damagenounUS /ˈdæmədʒ/
the occurrence of a change for the worse
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
discoloured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/
A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
put on clothes
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
eau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
economicaladjectiveUS /ˌekəˈnɑːmɪkəl/
using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
essencenounUS /ˈesəns/
the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
fancying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
gainsnounUS /ɡeɪnz/
plural of “gain” — a quantity that is added
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
only a very short time before
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
ladyshipnoun
a title used to address any peeress except a duchess
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
ladyship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
engage in
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
markingnounUS /ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
a distinguishing symbol
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
not any; not one
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
PlotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
repairnounUS /rɪˈper/
the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
determined
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
Identical; not different.
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
slatenounUS /sleɪt/
(formerly) a writing tablet made of slate
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
spoiledadjectiveUS /spɔɪld/
having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
be standing; be upright
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
Tim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
triflesnounUS /ˈtraɪfəlz/
plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
unfortunatelyadverbUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by bad luck
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
vasesnounUS /ˈveɪsəz/
plural of “vas” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
precisely as stated
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
look attentively
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
which person or people
From this reading I seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth; unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who was very economical, had on the table in disguise.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Some vases with flowers were on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face, but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same reason, I did not like to ring for water.
