used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
allurementnoun
attractiveness
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
amateurnounUS /ˈæmətɜːr/
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The young lawyer was to call at eight o'clock.
Balfame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
completely unclothed
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
blousenounUS /blaʊs/
a top worn by women
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was not a religious woman, but she had her standards.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The young lawyer was to call at eight o'clock.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
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 This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
disgustverbUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
fill with distaste
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
being one more than seven
From this reading The young lawyer was to call at eight o'clock.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She was not a religious woman, but she had her standards.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
hemstitched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
hesitateverbUS /ˈhezəteɪt/
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
the state of being honored
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
keyholesnounUS /ˈkiːhoʊlz/
plural of “keyhole” — the hole where a key is inserted
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading The young lawyer was to call at eight o'clock.
hear with intention
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
negligeenoun
a loose dressing gown for women
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was not a religious woman, but she had her standards.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The young lawyer was to call at eight o'clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
one of four equal parts
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading She was not a religious woman, but she had her standards.
uttered with a trill
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
rose-coloredadjective
reflecting optimism
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
shadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
sleuthsnounUS /sluːθs/
plural of “sleuth” — a detective who follows a trail
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
sneakverbUS /sniːk/
to go stealthily or furtively
From this reading At a quarter of eight she made a careful inspection of the lower rooms; sleuths, professional and amateur, would not hesitate to sneak into her house and listen at keyholes.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
standardsnounUS /ˈstændərdz/
plural of “standard” — a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
From this reading She was not a religious woman, but she had her standards.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The young lawyer was to call at eight o'clock.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The young lawyer was to call at eight o'clock.
warmedadjectiveUS /wɔːrmd/
having been warmed up
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The young lawyer was to call at eight o'clock.
a Caucasian
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Balfame put on her best black blouse in his honour; it was cut low about the throat and softened with a rolling collar of hemstitched white lawn.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was not a religious woman, but she had her standards.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This was as far in the art of sex allurement as she was prepared to go; the bare idea of a negligee of white lace and silk, warmed by rose-colored shades, would have filled her with cold disgust.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young lawyer was to call at eight o'clock.
