used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
apronnounUS /ˈeɪprən/
a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
auntsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
bibnounUS /bɪb/
top part of an apron; covering the chest
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
braidverbUS /breɪd/
make by braiding or interlacing
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
bright-colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
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 Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
coughingnounUS /ˈkɑːfɪŋ/
a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
declaringverbUS /dɪˈklerɪŋ/
-ing form of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
put on clothes
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
expressiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspresɪv/
characterized by expression
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
a young female
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
insteps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
go away from a place
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
maidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
mantillanounUS /mænˈtɪlə/
a woman's silk or lace scarf
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
absolutely essential
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
Pascuala
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
a human being
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
practicedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktəst/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
on the contrary
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
restlessnessnounUS /ˈrestləsnəs/
the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
Romeras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
a particular situation
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
snifflingverbUS /ˈsnɪflɪŋ/
-ing form of “sniffle” — cry or whine with snuffling
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
in the near future
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
sprightlyadjectiveUS /ˈspraɪtli/
full of spirit and vitality
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
not in physical motion
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
a state of acute pain
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
bound or secured closely
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
toesnounUS /toʊz/
plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
tokennounUS /ˈtoʊkən/
an individual instance of a type of symbol
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
precisely as stated
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
which person or people
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
witcheries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In saying this she practiced a thousand witcheries with her features and her eyes, which were black, small, sparkling, and very expressive.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading A blue ribbon, tied in a bow, fastened the end of her short braid, and her shoes, worn at the toes, gave evidence of the restlessness of the small feet with their arched insteps within.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Pascuala, the elder of the old maids, soon came into the parlor, sniffling and coughing, declaring that her sister was unable to leave her room, as she was suffering from a cold still worse than her own, which made it necessary for her to avoid a change of temperature.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The house of the old maids had a surprise in store for the student, in the person of the sprightly girl who came out to receive the visitors and show them into the parlor, saying that her aunts would come immediately.
but in spite of that
From this reading The niece of the de Romeras wore a rather short dress, a token that she had not yet reached the dignity of the mantilla, and an apron with a bib, with a bright-colored embroidered border.
