used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
adaptverbUS /əˈdæpt/
make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
(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 It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
any thing at all
From this reading How was she to be anything but awkwardly monosyllabic?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
awkwardlyadverbUS /ˈɔːkwərdli/
in an awkward manner
From this reading How was she to be anything but awkwardly monosyllabic?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How was she to be anything but awkwardly monosyllabic?
brand-newadjectiveUS /ˈbrændnuː/
conspicuously new
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading How was she to be anything but awkwardly monosyllabic?
Claire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
the organ of sight
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She quite gulped from the shock of it.
gulpedverbUS /ɡʌlpt/
past form of “gulp” — to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
From this reading She quite gulped from the shock of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
monosyllabicadjective
having or characterized by or consisting of one syllable
From this reading How was she to be anything but awkwardly monosyllabic?
not any; not one
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
prearrangedverbUS /ˌpriːərˈeɪndʒd/
past form of “prearrange” — arrange beforehand
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She quite gulped from the shock of it.
readjustverbUS /ˌriːəˈdʒʌst/
adjust anew
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading She quite gulped from the shock of it.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
make square
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading It is hard to readjust all one's prearranged plans in the twinkling of an eye.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Claire felt as if she had received a sudden dash of cold water square in the face.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading How in the world was she to adapt herself to this brand-new set of conditions on such short notice--on no notice at all?
