used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
AdmiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/
regarded with admiration
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
(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 For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
chambermaidnoun
a maid who is employed to clean and care for bedrooms (now primarily in hotels)
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading First of all, the children were insufferably familiar, quite like their equals.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
courtedverbUS /ˈkɔːrtɪd/
past form of “court” — make amorous advances towards
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
equalsnounUS /ˈiːkwəlz/
plural of “equal” — a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
From this reading First of all, the children were insufferably familiar, quite like their equals.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
faintestadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntəst/
superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading First of all, the children were insufferably familiar, quite like their equals.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading First of all, the children were insufferably familiar, quite like their equals.
flatteries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
footmannounUS /ˈfʊtmən/
a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
set up or found
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
Grubbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
ten 10s
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
insufferablyadverb
to an insufferable degree
From this reading First of all, the children were insufferably familiar, quite like their equals.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
lavishedverbUS /ˈlævɪʃt/
past form of “lavish” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading First of all, the children were insufferably familiar, quite like their equals.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
a female domestic
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
maidensnounUS /ˈmeɪdənz/
plural of “maiden” — an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
Marie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
joined in matrimony
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
matronnounUS /ˈmeɪtrən/
a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
obligingadjectiveUS /əˈblaɪdʒɪŋ/
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading First of all, the children were insufferably familiar, quite like their equals.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
in the near future
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
triflesnounUS /ˈtraɪfəlz/
plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
unmarriedadjectiveUS /ənˈmerid/
not married or related to the unmarried state
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
well-definedadjective
having a clean and distinct outline as if precisely cut along the edges
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
at the time that
From this reading They were made to feel it by a hundred trifles that in themselves meant nothing, but when taken together meant a great deal.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Admired and courted though she was, Marie Grubbe soon found that, while she had escaped from the nursery, she was not fully admitted to the circles of the grown up.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading And then the servants--there was a well-defined difference in the manner of the old footman when he took the cloak of a maid or a matron, and the faintest shade in the obliging smile of the chambermaid showed her sense of whether she was waiting on a married or an unmarried woman.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading For all the flatteries lavished on them, such young maidens were kept in their own place in society.
