used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
(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 Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How could she have overlooked this when she was dressing?
put on clothes
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading How could she have overlooked this when she was dressing?
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading THE ICE GIVES WAY.
destroyed or killed
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading How could she have overlooked this when she was dressing?
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How could she have overlooked this when she was dressing?
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading THE ICE GIVES WAY.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
María
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
an old word for “no”
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
on one occasion
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading How could she have overlooked this when she was dressing?
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
express in words
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
simpleradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpələr/
comparative of “simple” — having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ICE GIVES WAY.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading How could she have overlooked this when she was dressing?
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
unsuitableadjectiveUS /ənˈsuːtəbəl/
not meant or adapted for a particular purpose
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE ICE GIVES WAY.
be dressed in
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
at the time that
From this reading María had not gone more than half a mile when a terrible reflection occurred to her--a thought at once so serious and so obvious that she was on the point of turning back.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why had she not chosen other and simpler things, more suitable according to all the accepted laws of society for morning wear?
in the company of; together with
From this reading It struck her that her dress, having been chosen with a view to an afternoon drive, was unsuitable for so early a visit--nay, ridiculous not to say “loud.”
