adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "These are business hours, madam; I have no time to spare."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "These are business hours, madam; I have no time to spare."
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The New Year had come.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
despairnounUS /dɪˈsper/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
evidentlyadverbUS /ˈevədəntli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
flightnounUS /flaɪt/
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
Fontaine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The New Year had come.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "These are business hours, madam; I have no time to spare."
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading "These are business hours, madam; I have no time to spare."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Pardon me," said the widow, "I must speak to you."
impenetrableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpenətrəbəl/
not admitting of penetration or passage into or through
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
looksnounUS /lʊks/
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
madamnounUS /ˈmædəm/
a woman of refinement
From this reading "These are business hours, madam; I have no time to spare."
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Pardon me," said the widow, "I must speak to you."
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Pardon me," said the widow, "I must speak to you."
NewadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The New Year had come.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading "These are business hours, madam; I have no time to spare."
obstinatelyadverb
in a stubborn unregenerate manner
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
PardonverbUS /ˈpɑːrdən/
accept an excuse for
From this reading "Pardon me," said the widow, "I must speak to you."
payingadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪɪŋ/
yielding a fair profit
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
petrifyingadjective
paralyzing with terror
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
repeatedadjectiveUS /rɪˈpiːtɪd/
recurring again and again
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
replynounUS /rɪˈplaɪ/
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Pardon me," said the widow, "I must speak to you."
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
slightestadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪtəst/
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
spareverbUS /sper/
refrain from harming
From this reading "These are business hours, madam; I have no time to spare."
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading "Pardon me," said the widow, "I must speak to you."
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The New Year had come.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "These are business hours, madam; I have no time to spare."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "These are business hours, madam; I have no time to spare."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
tonesnounUS /toʊnz/
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
WagnernounUS /ˈwæɡnər/
Austrian architect and pioneer of modern architecture (1841-1918)
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
widownounUS /ˈwɪdoʊ/
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading "Pardon me," said the widow, "I must speak to you."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the morning of the second of January, Mrs. Wagner (on her way to the office at the customary hour) was stopped at the lower flight of stairs by Madame Fontaine--evidently waiting with a purpose.
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading Without paying the slightest heed to this reply--impenetrable, in the petrifying despair that possessed her, to all that looks, tones, and words could say--Madame Fontaine stood her ground, and obstinately repeated, "I must speak to you."
YearnounUS /jɪr/
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The New Year had come.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Pardon me," said the widow, "I must speak to you."
