used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
at or in or to any place
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
assemblynounUS /əˈsembli/
a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
behaveverbUS /bɪˈheɪv/
behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
From this reading She would not know a bit how to behave herself!
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading She would not know a bit how to behave herself!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
dowdynounUS /ˈdaʊdi/
British marshal of the RAF who commanded the British air defense forces that defeated the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain (1882-1970)
From this reading What would Tom say if she looked a dowdy?
put on clothes
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
flutterverbUS /ˈflʌtər/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She would not know a bit how to behave herself!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading What would Tom say if she looked a dowdy?
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading THE INVITATION.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She would not know a bit how to behave herself!
Letty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading What would Tom say if she looked a dowdy?
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
not any; not one
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She would not know a bit how to behave herself!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
an organization to gain political power
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
Redmain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
express in words
From this reading What would Tom say if she looked a dowdy?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
shynessnounUS /ˈʃaɪnəs/
a feeling of fear of embarrassment
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE INVITATION.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
male cat
From this reading What would Tom say if she looked a dowdy?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was impossible, for she had no dress fit to go anywhere!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What would Tom say if she looked a dowdy?
at the time that
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Letty received Mrs. Redmain's card, inviting her with her husband to an evening party, it raised in her a bewildered flutter--of pleasure, of fear, of pride, of shyness, of dismay: how dared she show her face in such a grand assembly?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She would not know a bit how to behave herself!
