used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
Alice's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading “Are you not well, Princess?” she asked with anxiety.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Are you not well, Princess?” she asked with anxiety.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Are you not well, Princess?” she asked with anxiety.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
apart from; not including
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
the organ of sight
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
and nothing more
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
lightnessnounUS /ˈlaɪtnəs/
a feeling of joy and pride
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
MarigoldnounUS /ˈmerəɡoʊld/
any of various tropical American plants of the genus Tagetes widely cultivated for their showy yellow or orange flowers
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
mistress's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
nicetynounUS /ˈnaɪsɪti/
conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
not any; not one
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading “Are you not well, Princess?” she asked with anxiety.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
removeverbUS /riˈmuːv/
remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
up to a particular time
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
having come into contact
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
tracesnounUS /ˈtreɪsəz/
plural of “trace” — a just detectable amount
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
on a floor above
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Are you not well, Princess?” she asked with anxiety.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
at the time that
From this reading Alice was just steaming the potatoes as Marigold entered, and she did not turn her head till they were done to a nicety; but Marigold had run upstairs to remove her hat, and when everything was ready, Alice went to the foot of the stairs and called her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
Ye-es
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ye-es.
an affirmative
From this reading No. Yes.
but in spite of that
From this reading But when she came down, it was not with her usual gaiety and lightness, and Alice’s watchful eye detected traces of tears about her eyes--yet she passed no remarks except those in general, till she became aware her mistress’s plate had never yet been touched.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Are you not well, Princess?” she asked with anxiety.
