the state of being absent
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading And even George had apparently altered for the better.
ambiguousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪɡjuːəs/
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
from appearances alone
From this reading And even George had apparently altered for the better.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading And even George had apparently altered for the better.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
BrightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
DISENCHANTMENTnounUS /dɪsɪnˈtʃæntmənt/
freeing from false belief or illusions
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
dispelledverbUS /dɪˈspeld/
inflected form of “dispel” — force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
dissolvedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɑːlvd/
(of solid matter) reduced to a liquid form
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
divisible by two
From this reading And even George had apparently altered for the better.
father-in-lawnounUS /ˈfɑːðərɪnlɔː/
the father of your spouse
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
financialadjectiveUS /fəˈnænʃəl/
involving financial matters
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
floodedadjectiveUS /ˈflʌdəd/
covered with water
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And even George had apparently altered for the better.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
set up or found
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
Fowler'snounUS /ˈfaʊlərz/
possessive form of “fowler” — English lexicographer who wrote a well-known book on English usage (1858-1933)
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
Gabriella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading And even George had apparently altered for the better.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
hazyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪzi/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
impliedverbUS /ˌɪmˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “imply” — express or state indirectly
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
JulynounUS /ˌdʒuːˈlaɪ/
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
optimismnounUS /ˈɑːptəmɪzəm/
the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
perceptiblyadverb
in a noticeable manner
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
pilenounUS /paɪl/
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
prospectsnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/
plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
with speed
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
the season of growth
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
surmisedverbUS /sərˈmaɪzd/
past form of “surmise” — infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading Brightness had followed gloom; the fog of suspense had dissolved, and the hazy sunshine of an ambiguous optimism flooded the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What the change implied she could not immediately discover; but before the first day was over she surmised that the financial prospects of her father-in-law had improved since the spring.
at the time that
From this reading DISENCHANTMENT In July Gabriella joined her mother in the mountains of Virginia, and when she returned in the autumn, she found that the character of her home had changed perceptibly during her absence.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If she had had any doubt of his rising fortunes, the sight of the diminished pile of bills on Mrs. Fowler's desk would have quickly dispelled it.
