used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
arousingverbUS /ərˈaʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “arouse” — call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There would be onions for dinner—a vegetable that she detested.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Once more her imagination began to pullulate with tiny nervous fears.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
copeverbUS /koʊp/
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
detestedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtestɪd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading There would be onions for dinner—a vegetable that she detested.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading There would be onions for dinner—a vegetable that she detested.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading Once more her imagination began to pullulate with tiny nervous fears.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
frigidadjectiveUS /ˈfrɪdʒəd/
sexually unresponsive
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
obtain
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
gulpingnounUS /ˈɡʌlpɪŋ/
a spasmodic reflex of the throat made as if in swallowing
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Once more her imagination began to pullulate with tiny nervous fears.
hiccoughnounUS /ˈhɪkəp/
(usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Once more her imagination began to pullulate with tiny nervous fears.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
inadequateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnædəkwət/
lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
immediately past
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
for more time
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
Madeleine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
small silvery drumfish often mistaken for white perch; found along coasts of United States from New York to Mexico
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Once more her imagination began to pullulate with tiny nervous fears.
easily agitated
From this reading Once more her imagination began to pullulate with tiny nervous fears.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
not any; not one
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
on one occasion
From this reading Once more her imagination began to pullulate with tiny nervous fears.
onionsnounUS /ˈʌnjənz/
plural of “onion” — the bulb of an onion plant
From this reading There would be onions for dinner—a vegetable that she detested.
pleasingadjectiveUS /ˈpliːzɪŋ/
giving pleasure and satisfaction
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
procedurenounUS /prəˈsiːdʒər/
a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
pullulateverb
be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading Once more her imagination began to pullulate with tiny nervous fears.
saneadjectiveUS /seɪn/
mentally healthy; free from mental disorder
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
Scudéry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
make steady
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
supernaturalnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈnætʃərəl/
supernatural forces and events and beings collectively
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There would be onions for dinner—a vegetable that she detested.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There would be onions for dinner—a vegetable that she detested.
very small
From this reading Once more her imagination began to pullulate with tiny nervous fears.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
except if; if not
From this reading She would feel that unless she succeeded in gulping down her portion before her father gave another hiccough, she would never gain the friendship of Mademoiselle de Scudéry.
vegetablenounUS /ˈvedʒtəbəl/
edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant
From this reading There would be onions for dinner—a vegetable that she detested.
VENUSnounUS /ˈviːnəs/
the second nearest planet to the sun
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE CHRISTIAN VENUS The sane and steady procedure of the last few weeks—to prepare for the arousing of Admiration in Mademoiselle de Scudéry by a course in the art of pleasing—now seemed to Madeleine inadequate and frigid.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She felt she could no longer cope with life without supernatural aid.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There would be onions for dinner—a vegetable that she detested.
