used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
anew
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
airyadjectiveUS /ˈeri/
open to or abounding in fresh air
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
(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, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
have
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
plural of “call” — a telephone connection
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
closenessnounUS /ˈkloʊsnɪs/
a feeling of being intimate and belonging together
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
corridorsnounUS /ˈkɔːrɪdərz/
plural of “corridor” — an enclosed passageway; rooms usually open onto it
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
dowagernounUS /ˈdaʊədʒər/
a widow holding property received from her deceased husband
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
put on clothes
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
set up or found
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
the sound of laughing
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
MarigoldnounUS /ˈmerəɡoʊld/
any of various tropical American plants of the genus Tagetes widely cultivated for their showy yellow or orange flowers
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
mimicnounUS /ˈmɪmɪk/
someone who mimics (especially an actor or actress)
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
not any; not one
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
occupationsnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃənz/
plural of “occupation” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
patheticadjectiveUS /pəˈθetɪk/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
on the contrary
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
rentedverbUS /ˈrentɪd/
past form of “rent” — let for money
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
stiffestadjectiveUS /ˈstɪfəst/
superlative of “stiff” — not moving or operating freely
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
stoutest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
suburbsnounUS /ˈsʌbərbz/
plural of “suburb” — a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
susceptibleadjectiveUS /səˈseptəbəl/
(often followed by “of” or “to”) yielding readily to or capable of
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
interact in a certain way
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And it was quite a treat again to be in the long gardens and the big airy rooms, away from poverty and the extreme closeness of neighbours.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
which person or people
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
belonging to which person
From this reading So the next day Marigold and Alice returned to the Palace in the suburbs, which had been rented from a Duke whose pockets were always empty.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading For, though Marigold went back to her usual dress and her usual occupations, and received calls from certain stately ladies who had heard of her return from abroad, and returned them, it was all done without heart or life, or, rather, such a pathetic imitation that Alice could not bear to see.
wryadjectiveUS /raɪ/
humorously sarcastic or mocking
From this reading For now no more the gay voice rang through the corridors, nor the merry laugh; and the stoutest, stiffest dowager might come and go without one smile, one wry face or mimic action as the door closed.
but in spite of that
From this reading So, at least, Alice found--she who was less susceptible to surroundings than her mistress, yet at present evidently more so.
