used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
(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 The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
benefactorsnounUS /ˈbenəfæktərz/
plural of “benefactor” — a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
BurlingtonnounUS /ˈbɜːrlɪŋtən/
the largest city in Vermont; located in northwestern Vermont on Lake Champlain; site of the University of Vermont
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
one or the other of two
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
enormitynounUS /ɪˈnɔːrməti/
the quality of being outrageous
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
extinguishersnounUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃərz/
plural of “extinguisher” — a manually operated device for extinguishing small fires
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
forty-eightadjective
being eight more than forty
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
funnelnounUS /ˈfʌnəl/
a conical shape with a wider and a narrower opening at the two ends
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
grotesqueadjectiveUS /ɡroʊˈtesk/
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
ingratitudenoun
a lack of gratitude
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
knockernoun
(Yiddish) a big shot who knows it and acts that way; a boastful immoderate person
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
immediately past
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
Lavinia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
linkverbUS /lɪŋk/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
mockingadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːkɪŋ/
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
obstaclenounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
and nothing more
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
porticonounUS /ˈpɔːrtəkoʊ/
a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
Queensberry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
railingsnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋz/
plural of “railing” — a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
supportingadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
furnishing support and encouragement
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl's mind in all their enormity.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It occurred to her for the first time that she had not only thrown away the chance of her life, but that she had been guilty of black ingratitude to her benefactors.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
transformedadjectiveUS /trænˈsfɔːrmd/
given a completely different form or appearance
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
triangularadjectiveUS /traɪˈæŋɡjələr/
having three angles; forming or shaped like a triangle
From this reading The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her, the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
at the time that
From this reading IN THE CHAPTER COFFEE HOUSE It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her.
