used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The young lady of the house is not moved by either of these motives.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
an occurrence of something
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
confidencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnfədənsɪz/
plural of “confidence” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
cosey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
put on clothes
From this reading The lady of the house is gone to dress.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
one or the other of two
From this reading The young lady of the house is not moved by either of these motives.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The lady of the house is gone to dress.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
interfereverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪr/
come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The lady of the house is gone to dress.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
plural of “like” — a similar kind
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading The young lady of the house is not moved by either of these motives.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The young lady of the house is not moved by either of these motives.
napnounUS /næp/
a period of time spent sleeping
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
not any; not one
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The lady of the house is gone to dress.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
by chance
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
a full supply
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
punctualitynounUS /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈælɪti/
the quality or habit of adhering to an appointed time
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
rampantadjectiveUS /ˈræmpənt/
unrestrained and violent
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
sashesnounUS /ˈsæʃɪz/
plural of “sash” — a framework that holds the panes of a window in the window frame
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The young lady of the house is not moved by either of these motives.
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading Five minutes is enough for her, she thinks and says, and the room is so cosey and the half light so pleasant, and it is the hour for confidences.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
tyingnounUS /ˈtaɪɪŋ/
the act of tying or binding things together
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
in or at the place that
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
a late time of life
From this reading If she is beginning to feel the weight of years, she perhaps likes a nap before dinner, and in any case she will change her dress in a leisurely manner and likes to have plenty of time; and the children have been carried off to the nursery that their toilet may be attended to, and no hurried call afterwards interfere with the tying of their sashes.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In an easy house, where punctuality is not rampant, the hour before dinner is pleasant to young people.
