used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
anew
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
aggravationnounUS /ˌæɡrəˈveɪʃən/
an exasperated feeling of annoyance
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
Candy'snounUS /ˈkændiz/
possessive form of “candy” — a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
darningnoun
the act of mending a hole in a garment with crossing threads
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The days seemed to move slowly.
detestationnoun
hate coupled with disgust
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were such troublesome days to Matilda.
mindedadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪndəd/
(used in combination) mentally oriented toward something specified
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The days seemed to move slowly.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
not any; not one
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
patchingnounUS /ˈpætʃɪŋ/
the act of mending a hole in a garment by sewing a patch over it
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
relentlessadjectiveUS /rɪˈlentlɪs/
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
resentedverbUS /riˈzentɪd/
past form of “resent” — feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading Matilda greatly resented having it applied to her at all by any hand but her own; it was an aggravation that her aunt minded that, and her, no more than if she had been a baby.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The days seemed to move slowly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
and nothing more
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The days seemed to move slowly.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They were such troublesome days to Matilda.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The days seemed to move slowly.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were such troublesome days to Matilda.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The days seemed to move slowly.
troublesomeadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlsəm/
causing difficulty or annoyance
From this reading They were such troublesome days to Matilda.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading It was not so much for the cold water as for the relentless hand that applied it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were such troublesome days to Matilda.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From the morning bath, which was simply her detestation, all through the long hours of reading, and patching, and darning in Mrs. Candy's room, the time dragged; and no sooner was dinner over, than she began to dread the next morning again.
