used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
afternoonsnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/
plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were visits back and forth between her cousins and herself.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
a line of approach
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading There were visits back and forth between her cousins and herself.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading There were visits back and forth between her cousins and herself.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
chinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
chocolatenounUS /ˈtʃɔːklət/
a beverage made from cocoa powder and milk and sugar; usually drunk hot
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
clothing in general
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
cousinsnounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading There were visits back and forth between her cousins and herself.
d'Antin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
doll'snounUS /dɑːlz/
possessive form of “doll” — a small replica of a person; used as a toy
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
finestadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəst/
superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
Fleurette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There were visits back and forth between her cousins and herself.
frocksnounUS /frɑːks/
plural of “frock” — a long, loose outer garment
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading There were visits back and forth between her cousins and herself.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
indulgingnounUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒɪŋ/
the act of indulging or gratifying a desire
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
Marie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
joined in matrimony
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
matronliness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
prettiestadjectiveUS /ˈprɪtiəst/
superlative of “pretty” — pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
promisingadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːməsɪŋ/
showing possibility of achievement or excellence
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
Sidonie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
staidadjectiveUS /steɪd/
characterized by dignity and propriety
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The little apartment in the Avenue d'Antin shone like a carefully kept doll's house.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were visits back and forth between her cousins and herself.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
very small
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
trousseaunoun
the personal outfit of a bride; clothes and accessories and linens
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading There were visits back and forth between her cousins and herself.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Marie, indulging her fancy for dainty clothes, went about the tiny rooms dressed in the prettiest frocks in her modest _trousseau_.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were visits back and forth between her cousins and herself.
at the time that
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Fleurette and Sidonie spent long afternoons with her, which she did her best to fill with interest and enjoyment for them, getting out her finest china for the afternoon chocolate.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading They never ceased to wonder at her new dignity, her staid little air of matronliness, secretly promising themselves to copy it when they should be married.
