used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
afternoon'snounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/
possessive form of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I’ll be ’n old dame before I know it.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
Blanche
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
blownadjectiveUS /bloʊn/
being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
cloisteredadjectiveUS /ˈklɔɪstərd/
of communal life sequestered from the world under religious vows
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
damenounUS /deɪm/
informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading I’ll be ’n old dame before I know it.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
experiencingverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪŋ/
-ing form of “experience” — undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
expulsionnounUS /ɪkˈspʌlʃən/
the act of forcing out someone or something
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
flimsyadjectiveUS /ˈflɪmzi/
lacking solidity or strength
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
set up or found
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
GeenounUS /dʒiː/
a unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity; used to indicate the force to which a body is subjected when it is accelerated
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
hair-curler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I’ll be ’n old dame before I know it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
instructiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktɪv/
serving to instruct or enlighten or inform
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I’ll be ’n old dame before I know it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I’ll be ’n old dame before I know it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues
From this reading I’ll be ’n old dame before I know it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I’ll be ’n old dame before I know it.
and nothing more
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
ParlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
passionlessadjective
not passionate
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
patronsnounUS /ˈpeɪtrənz/
plural of “patron” — a regular customer
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
a human being
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
prize-fighter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/
a rate that is rapid
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading As she sat in the Parlor, during an afternoon’s pause between patrons, she said to herself: “Gee, here I am, already twenty-two!
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
move stealthily
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
soap-bubbles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
twentiesnounUS /ˈtwentiz/
the time of life between 20 and 30
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
twenty-fouradjectiveUS /ˈtwentifɔːr/
being four more than twenty
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
twenty-twonounUS /ˈtwentituː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-one and one
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
except if; if not
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
in or at the place that
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading As Blanche sat in the Beauty Parlor where she worked as a hair-curler, she remembered that she was twenty-two and that her birthday was only twenty-four hours distant.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The year which had elapsed since her brother’s expulsion as a prize-fighter seemed to be little more than a crowded and instructive month.
a late time of life
From this reading In the twenties, years slip by with the flimsy rapidity of soap-bubbles blown from the breath of time, unless the person experiencing them has found an unusually cloistered or passionless existence.
