used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
Ashurst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
uttered without voice
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
intense or sharp
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
fancy-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
filmyadjective
so thin as to transmit light
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
Forsythe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
in a free manner
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
graysnounUS /ɡreɪz/
plural of “gray” — a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
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 was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
lavenders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
Lois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
used to form the superlative
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
and nothing more
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
porcelainnounUS /ˈpɔːrsələn/
ceramic ware made of a more or less translucent ceramic
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
respitenounUS /ˈrespɪt/
a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe did not come to Ashurst until the middle of April, and then she came alone.
precisely as stated
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So Lois breathed freely, though she knew it was only a respite, and made the most of her freedom to go and see his mother.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mrs. Forsythe dressed in delicate grays and lavenders, and her fingers were covered with rings, and generally held some filmy fancy-work.
a Caucasian
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
which person or people
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was very fond of the invalid, who always seemed to her, in her glowing, rosy health, like an exquisite bit of porcelain, she was so fine and dainty, with soft white hair curling around her gentle and melancholy face.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Dick had been detained, she said, and would come in a week or two.
