used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
aristocraticadjectiveUS /ərˌɪstəˈkrætɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
describingverbUS /dɪˈskraɪbɪŋ/
-ing form of “describe” — give a description of
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
extractsnounUS /ˈekstrækts/
plural of “extract” — a solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
GazettenounUS /ɡəˈzet/
a newspaper or official journal
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nell worried her memory in vain.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nell worried her memory in vain.
incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Lord Selbie?--Lord Selbie?
magnificencenoun
splendid or imposing in size or appearance
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
informal terms for a mother
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Nell worried her memory in vain.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
Nell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nell worried her memory in vain.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
being perceived or observed
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
many times at short intervals
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
Selbie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Selbie?--Lord Selbie?
Selbie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading Nell worried her memory in vain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had read extracts from the _Fashion Gazette_ so often, the aristocratic names had passed out of her mind almost before she had pronounced them, and it was not surprising that she should fail to recall this Lord Selbie's.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She had not much time or opportunity for reflection, for the other guests were arriving, and the party was almost complete.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading Nell worried her memory in vain.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As she stood a little apart, she noticed the dresses, and smiled as she felt how incapable she would be of describing their magnificence to mamma.
