used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
accommodationsnounUS /əˌkɑːməˈdeɪʃənz/
plural of “accommodation” — making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
AdamsnounUS /ˈædəmz/
American Revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1722-1803)
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
in the past
From this reading The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
apronnounUS /ˈeɪprən/
a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading Mrs. Adams assured her that there were.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
a female human offspring
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
well in the past; former
From this reading The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
gownedadjective
wearing a gown
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
ironingnounUS /ˈaɪərnɪŋ/
garments (clothes or linens) that are to be (or have been) ironed
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
OverlandadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlænd/
traveling or passing over land
From this reading The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago.
pattedverbUS /ˈpætɪd/
inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
peremptoryadjectiveUS /pərˈemptəri/
offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
on the contrary
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
smoothedadjectiveUS /smuːðd/
made smooth by ironing
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
stylishlyadverbUS /ˈstaɪlɪʃli/
in a stylish manner
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The Overland had arrived and departed more than an hour ago.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Adams assured her that there were.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
tired-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She patted her hair, smoothed her apron, and stepped through the dining-room to the office.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading _East and West_ Mrs. Adams, ironing in the kitchen, was startled by a peremptory ringing of the bell on the office desk.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A rather tired-looking, stylishly gowned woman immediately asked if there were comfortable accommodations for herself and her daughter.
