Chapter III · Chapter 3

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

in a keen or penetrating way

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

the act of breaking something

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

plural of “bunch” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

a brightly printed and glazed cotton fabric

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

without stop or interruption

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

past form of “devise” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

a distinguished female operatic singer; a female operatic star

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

put on clothes

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

being or in accordance with current social fashions

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

the power of creative imagination

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

plural of “jumper” — a person who jumps

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

and nothing more

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

for more time

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

a female domestic

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

engage in

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

garments that must be repaired

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

attach something somewhere by means of nails

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

not any; not one

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

no person; not anyone

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

a perceptual structure

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

-ing form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

a light shade of red

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

strange in an interesting or pleasing way

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

plural of “scarf” — a garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

in a clever manner

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

cultivation of the land in order to raise crops

From this reading Though Tilling was noted for the ingenuity with which its more fashionable ladies devised novel and quaint effects in their dress in an economical manner, Diva felt sure, ransack her memory though she might, that nobody had thought of _this_ before.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

latticework used to support climbing plants

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading So, since they refused to pay for their mending any more, she was preparing to make them pay, pretty smartly too, in other ways.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

in the company of; together with

From this reading Diva was sitting at the open drawing-room window of her house in the High Street, cutting with a pair of sharp nail scissors into the old chintz curtains which her maid had told her no longer "paid for the mending."

a fabric made from the hair of sheep

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The pattern was of little bunches of pink roses peeping out through trellis work, and it was these which she had just begun to cut out.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.

but in spite of that

From this reading The hot weather had continued late into September and showed no signs of breaking yet, and it would be agreeable to her and acutely painful to others that just at the end of the summer she should appear in a perfectly new costume, before the days of jumpers and heavy skirts and large woollen scarves came in.