used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
how long something has existed
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
(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 From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
amiabilitynounUS /ˌeɪmiəˈbɪləti/
a cheerful and agreeable mood
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
assumingadjectiveUS /əˈsuːmɪŋ/
excessively forward
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
deceiveverbUS /dɪˈsiːv/
be false to; be dishonest with
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
an opposing military force
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
girlhoodnounUS /ˈɡɜːrlhʊd/
the childhood of a girl
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
intensifiedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtensəfaɪd/
made more intense
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
malignitynoun
wishing evil to others
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
social deportment
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
a particular point in time
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
observersnounUS /əbˈzɜːrvərz/
plural of “observer” — a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
PainternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
pale-facedadjective
having a pale face
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
a human being
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
pinchingverbUS /ˈpɪntʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “pinch” — squeeze tightly between the fingers
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
sharp-featured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
slyadjectiveUS /slaɪ/
marked by skill in deception
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
precisely as stated
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
viciously-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
wagedverbUS /weɪdʒd/
past form of “wage” — carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading From the moment she entered our house she became the enemy of every person in it, and waged open and secret war upon all of us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
at the time that
From this reading Her service with my grandmother had been a very easy one, but things were different when her mistress changed her residence.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I have already mentioned the name of the servant whom my grandmother brought with her to our house; it was Jane Painter.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading In appearance she was a thin, sharp-featured, pale-faced woman; in manners she was a viciously-minded creature, fond of pinching children on the sly in tender places, assuming the while, to deceive observers, an expression of amiability, which intensified the malignity of her conduct.
a late time of life
From this reading She had been with my grandmother for many years, from girlhood I believe, and she was now about thirty years of age.
