used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
(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 Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Kate, to be sure, did not know what had happened.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
make calm or still
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
travel across or pass over
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
demanding attention
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Kate, to be sure, did not know what had happened.
displeasurenounUS /dɪˈspleʒər/
the feeling of being displeased or annoyed or dissatisfied with someone or something
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
having the place or position changed
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
divisible by two
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
exultationnoun
a feeling of extreme joy
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
a social unit living together
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
fortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
a social unit living together
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
ignoreverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/
refuse to acknowledge
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
irritationnounUS /ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
jokesnounUS /dʒoʊks/
plural of “joke” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
and nothing more
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kate, to be sure, did not know what had happened.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Kate, to be sure, did not know what had happened.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
Mitfordnoun
United States writer (born in England) who wrote on American culture (1917-1996)
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Kate, to be sure, did not know what had happened.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
paler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
express in words
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
not in physical motion
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
in a strange manner
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Kate, to be sure, did not know what had happened.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading “He is thinking of what he is to say to papa,” was the thought that passed through her mind; and this thought fortunately checked her momentary displeasure.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
precisely as stated
From this reading Mrs Mitford was paler still, and her eyes looked red, as if she had been crying; but instead of being subdued or cross, she was in unusually gay spirits, it seemed to Kate--talking a great deal more than usual, even laughing, and attempting little jokes which sat very strangely upon her.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Kate, to be sure, did not know what had happened.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
which person or people
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Next morning the household met at breakfast with that strange determination to look just as usual, and ignore all that had happened, which is so common in life.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading She was aware of nothing but her own engagement which could have disturbed the family calm; and it filled her with wonder, and even irritation, to see how pale John looked, who ought to have been at the height of happiness, and how little exultation was in his voice.
