used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
amazedadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Her husband was amazed at the change in her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her husband was amazed at the change in her.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Her husband was amazed at the change in her.
clothing in general
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
daytimenounUS /ˈdeɪtaɪm/
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
move gently or carefully
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading She was gayer and easier, and she seemed to have lost the tug and strain at her heart.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
flounderingverbUS /ˈflaʊndərɪŋ/
-ing form of “flounder” — walk with great difficulty
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
gayeradjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪər/
comparative of “gay” — bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading She was gayer and easier, and she seemed to have lost the tug and strain at her heart.
usually; as a rule
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
gewgaws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She was gayer and easier, and she seemed to have lost the tug and strain at her heart.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading She was gayer and easier, and she seemed to have lost the tug and strain at her heart.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her husband was amazed at the change in her.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Her husband was amazed at the change in her.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her husband was amazed at the change in her.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
listlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɪstləs/
lacking zest or vivacity
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading She was gayer and easier, and she seemed to have lost the tug and strain at her heart.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
and nothing more
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
being perceived or observed
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
opinionsnounUS /əˈpɪnjənz/
plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
ornamentverbUS /ˈɔːrnəmənt/
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
pinningnounUS /ˈpɪnɪŋ/
a mutual promise of a couple not to date anyone else; on college campuses it was once signaled by the giving of a fraternity pin
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
preposterousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
puppynounUS /ˈpʌpi/
a young dog
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
recognizableadjectiveUS /ˌrekəɡˈnaɪzəbəl/
easily perceived; easy to become aware of
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She was gayer and easier, and she seemed to have lost the tug and strain at her heart.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was gayer and easier, and she seemed to have lost the tug and strain at her heart.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading She was gayer and easier, and she seemed to have lost the tug and strain at her heart.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
moving very fast
From this reading It was as startling as the swift growth of a floundering puppy into a recognizable dog.
tactnounUS /tækt/
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her husband was amazed at the change in her.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
tugverbUS /tʌɡ/
pull hard
From this reading She was gayer and easier, and she seemed to have lost the tug and strain at her heart.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
vitalitynounUS /vaɪˈtæləti/
an energetic style
From this reading Often in the daytime she was dull and listless, but she never failed to draw upon some mysterious reserve of vitality for the evening.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her husband was amazed at the change in her.
be dressed in
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading It was not merely a matter of pinning on clothes and opinions and a set of fashionable ideas: there was real growth in the woman which enabled her to wear these gewgaws with ease and grace so that they became her and were an ornament, absurd it is true, but so generally worn--though rarely with such tact--that their preposterousness was never noticed in the crowd.
