used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
move towards
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That is the Princess," said Barbara, whose head was touching Mrs. Vanderstein's.
barouchenoun
a horse-drawn carriage having four wheels; has an outside seat for the driver and facing inside seats for two couples and a folding top
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
coachmannounUS /ˈkoʊtʃmən/
a man who drives a coach (or carriage)
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
at any time
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
Fianti's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
the act of giving
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "That is the Princess," said Barbara, whose head was touching Mrs. Vanderstein's.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That is the Princess," said Barbara, whose head was touching Mrs. Vanderstein's.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
jerkverbUS /dʒɜːrk/
pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
easily agitated
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
come into possession of
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading "That is the Princess," said Barbara, whose head was touching Mrs. Vanderstein's.
precisely, exactly
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "That is the Princess," said Barbara, whose head was touching Mrs. Vanderstein's.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
arousing affect
From this reading "That is the Princess," said Barbara, whose head was touching Mrs. Vanderstein's.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
Vanderstein's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
precisely as stated
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A carriage was driving up to the steps of Fianti's.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
at the time that
From this reading She sat very upright and stiff, giving a little nervous start when the horses moved forward impatiently and were drawn up with a jerk by the coachman.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
belonging to which person
From this reading "That is the Princess," said Barbara, whose head was touching Mrs. Vanderstein's.
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 To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the right of the barouche sat an elderly lady, with grey hair piled high under a very small black hat.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading To allow it to approach, a waiting motor was obliged to move away, and in the short interval that elapsed while this was being wound up and started off the carriage paused almost immediately opposite the window of Mrs. Vanderstein's bedroom; she had thus a better view of its occupants than it had ever previously been her fortune to obtain.
