used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
animationnounUS /ˌænəˈmeɪʃən/
the condition of living or the state of being alive
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
bramblesnounUS /ˈbræmbəlz/
plural of “bramble” — any of various rough thorny shrubs or vines
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
emphaticallyadverbUS /emˈfætɪkli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
fussingverbUS /ˈfʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “fuss” — worry unnecessarily or excessively
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
IsabellanounUS /ˌɪzəˈbelə/
the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
and nothing more
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
laggedverbUS /læɡd/
inflected form of “lag” — hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
ponynounUS /ˈpoʊniː/
a range horse of the western United States
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
preserveverbUS /prəˈzɜːrv/
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
with speed
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
restrainedadjectiveUS /riˈstreɪnd/
cool and formal in manner
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
ripeadjectiveUS /raɪp/
fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
ruddyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌdi/
inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
cut with a saw
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
SpencernounUS /ˈspensər/
English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
Spencer'snounUS /ˈspensərz/
possessive form of “spencer” — English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
in a strange manner
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
unexcitableadjective
not easily excited
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading As I drove home, strangely enough, I met the ladies on their afternoon walk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
at the time that
From this reading ‘Just look what a bit of colour,’ she was saying when I came up; but Mrs. Spencer’s mind, it was evident, was full of other things.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Spencer was in advance as usual, talking rapidly and with animation, while Lady Isabella lagged a step behind, pausing to look at the ripe brambles and the beautiful ruddy autumn leaves.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading After me fussing myself into a fever, to preserve you from this annoyance! and I knew it would be too much for you----’ ‘Hush!’ said Lady Isabella, emphatically, and then Mrs. Spencer perceived the pony carriage for the first time, and restrained herself.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘I wonder how you can care for such nonsense,’ she said; ‘I never saw any one so unexcitable.
