used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
affixingverbUS /əˈfɪksɪŋ/
-ing form of “affix” — attach to
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
aislenounUS /aɪl/
a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
(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 All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
brotherhoodnounUS /ˈbrʌðərhʊd/
the kinship relation between a male offspring and the siblings
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
bunchesnounUS /ˈbʌntʃəz/
plural of “bunch” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
put or send forth
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
travel across or pass over
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
daffodilsnounUS /ˈdæfədɪlz/
plural of “daffodil” — any of numerous varieties of Narcissus plants having showy often yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
discreetadjectiveUS /dɪˈskriːt/
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
dowdynounUS /ˈdaʊdi/
British marshal of the RAF who commanded the British air defense forces that defeated the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain (1882-1970)
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading No one was looking, the workers were engrossed and preoccupied.
with resolute determination
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
ivynounUS /ˈaɪvi/
Old World vine with lobed evergreen leaves and black berrylike fruits
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
lecternnounUS /ˈlektərn/
desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text at the proper height for a lecturer
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading No one was looking, the workers were engrossed and preoccupied.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
not any; not one
From this reading No one was looking, the workers were engrossed and preoccupied.
nobodiesnounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiːz/
plural of “nobody” — a person of no influence
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one was looking, the workers were engrossed and preoccupied.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
parishionernounUS /pərˈɪʃənər/
a member of a parish
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading No one was looking, the workers were engrossed and preoccupied.
pulpitnounUS /ˈpʊlpɪt/
a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
spraysnounUS /spreɪz/
plural of “spray” — a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
standardsnounUS /ˈstændərdz/
plural of “standard” — a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
TeresanounUS /tərˈiːsə/
Indian nun and missionary in the Roman Catholic Church (born of Albanian parents in what is now Macedonia); dedicated to helping the poor in India (1910-1997)
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Teresa rose and cast a searching glance round the church.
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
tradesman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
trimmingnounUS /ˈtrɪmɪŋ/
the act of adding decoration
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
universaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
Vicar's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No one was looking, the workers were engrossed and preoccupied.
wealthyadjectiveUS /ˈwelθi/
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No one was looking, the workers were engrossed and preoccupied.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
window-sills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Vicar's wife was affixing a cross of daffodils to the front of the pulpit, the doctor's daughters were trimming the lectern with stiff little bunches of daffodils.
workersnounUS /ˈwɜːrkərz/
plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading No one was looking, the workers were engrossed and preoccupied.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Vicar's wife held firmly to the theory of universal brotherhood, but it would never have occurred to her to ask a wealthy parishioner to "do" the windows, or a tradesman's wife to undertake the east end.
wrestlingnounUS /ˈreslɪŋ/
the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
From this reading All down the aisle workers were twisting sprays of ivy round the tall gas standards, in the discreet background dowdy nobodies were wrestling with window-sills.
