used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
actsnounUS /ækts/
a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
ailingadjectiveUS /ˈeɪlɪŋ/
somewhat ill or prone to illness
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
associatedverbUS /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/
past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
burntadjectiveUS /bɜːrnt/
ruined by overcooking
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
Canvey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
clappingnounUS /ˈklæpɪŋ/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
deepensverbUS /ˈdiːpənz/
third-person singular of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
dervish-fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
eager-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
exhales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
expandverbUS /ɪkˈspænd/
extend in one or more directions
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
expendedverbUS /ɪkˈspendɪd/
past form of “expend” — use up, consume fully
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
opinion or judgment
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
start firing a weapon
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
a young female
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
hags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
Lambeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
lustrenounUS /ˈlʌstər/
a surface coating for ceramics or porcelain
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
marvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
not any; not one
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
nursingnounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/
the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
octogenariannounUS /ˌɑːktədʒɪˈneriən/
someone whose age is in the eighties
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
paupernounUS /ˈpɔːpər/
a person who is very poor
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
petalsnounUS /ˈpetəlz/
plural of “petal” — part of the perianth that is usually brightly colored
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
recognisedadjectiveUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪzd/
provided with a secure reputation
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
slumsnounUS /slʌmz/
plural of “slum” — a district of a city marked by poverty and inferior living conditions
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
the rays of the sun
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
superintended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
Tallentire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
well-beingnounUS /ˌwelˈbiːɪŋ/
a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
at the time that
From this reading A radiant day or so in Paris had acted on her as sunshine acts on a flower, when the petals expand, the colour deepens, and the perfume exhales.
whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
From this reading "Oh, it's lovely, lovely, lovely!" sang Joan Tallentire, clapping her hands, and whirling dervish-fashion around the room.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading No wonder the fire of being burnt low; no marvel that for long the eyes had lacked lustre and the cheeks colour.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading What observer, casual or close, would have recognised in this eager-eyed and sparkling girl the timid companion of Lady Canvey?
a late time of life
From this reading For weeks she had associated with the octogenarian; many months had she superintended the well-being of pauper hags in Lambeth slums; and in the nursing of an ailing mother many precious years had been expended.
