used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
delectableadjectiveUS /dɪˈlektəbəl/
extremely pleasing to the sense of taste
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
depressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈprest/
lower than previously
From this reading The sordid monotony of her work oppressed her every morning and depressed her every night.
desiresnounUS /dɪˈzaɪərz/
plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
drearinessnounUS /ˈdriːrinəs/
extreme dullness; lacking spirit or interest
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
dribbledverbUS /ˈdrɪbəld/
past form of “dribble” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
earnedadjectiveUS /ɜːrnd/
gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
Elton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The sordid monotony of her work oppressed her every morning and depressed her every night.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
furnacenounUS /ˈfɜːrnəs/
an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
intensifiedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtensəfaɪd/
made more intense
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
LenanounUS /ˈliːnə/
a Russian river in Siberia; flows northward into the Laptev Sea
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
Lenox
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
monotonynounUS /məˈnɑːtəni/
the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety
From this reading The sordid monotony of her work oppressed her every morning and depressed her every night.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The sordid monotony of her work oppressed her every morning and depressed her every night.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The sordid monotony of her work oppressed her every morning and depressed her every night.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
on one occasion
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
oppressedadjectiveUS /əˈprest/
burdened psychologically or mentally
From this reading The sordid monotony of her work oppressed her every morning and depressed her every night.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
Percival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
snow-flake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
sordidadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrdəd/
morally degraded
From this reading The sordid monotony of her work oppressed her every morning and depressed her every night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
precisely as stated
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading Occasionally Mr. Percival came to see her, but her shame of her mother and her home made these visits a doubtful pleasure.
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Once in a while Mrs. Lenox or Miss Elton did her some little kindness.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The sordid monotony of her work oppressed her every morning and depressed her every night.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading AN ENGAGEMENT The gates of the delectable world, it seemed to Lena, opened very slowly, and the mild fragrance and warmth that dribbled out to her through their narrow crack intensified her outer dreariness.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading The little money that she earned fell like a snow-flake into the yawning furnace of her desires.
