adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Ruth always dressed well.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To dress well is to dress appropriately to time, place, and season.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
appropriatelyadverbUS /əˈproʊpriɪtli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading To dress well is to dress appropriately to time, place, and season.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
becomingadjectiveUS /bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/
according with custom or propriety
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
convenances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/
a female human offspring
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
delightedadjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtəd/
greatly pleased
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
desiringverbUS /dɪˈzaɪərɪŋ/
-ing form of “desire” — feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
dressverbUS /dres/
put on clothes
From this reading To dress well is to dress appropriately to time, place, and season.
dressedadjectiveUS /drest/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Ruth always dressed well.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
FineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
gownnounUS /ɡaʊn/
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
gownsnounUS /ɡaʊnz/
plural of “gown” — a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
graynounUS /ɡreɪ/
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
humornounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
IndeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
innuendonounUS /ˌɪnjuːˈendoʊ/
an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To dress well is to dress appropriately to time, place, and season.
jealousynounUS /ˈdʒeləsi/
a feeling of jealous envy (especially of a rival)
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/
inadequate in amount or degree
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
lovelyadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvli/
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
offendedadjectiveUS /əˈfendəd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
paleadjectiveUS /peɪl/
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading To dress well is to dress appropriately to time, place, and season.
planningnounUS /ˈplænɪŋ/
an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
pleasingadjectiveUS /ˈpliːzɪŋ/
giving pleasure and satisfaction
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
possessedadjectiveUS /pəˈzest/
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
preventverbUS /prɪˈvent/
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
pursenounUS /pɜːrs/
a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
RuthnounUS /ruːθ/
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Ruth always dressed well.
seasonnounUS /ˈsiːzən/
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading To dress well is to dress appropriately to time, place, and season.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
studiedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdid/
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
summedverbUS /sʌmd/
inflected form of “sum” — be a summary of
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
summer'snounUS /ˈsʌmərz/
possessive form of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
tasteverbUS /teɪst/
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
terseadjectiveUS /tɜːrs/
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this summer’s afternoon she was clad from head to foot in soft, pale gray.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading To dress well is to dress appropriately to time, place, and season.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To dress well is to dress appropriately to time, place, and season.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
toiletsnounUS /ˈtɔɪləts/
plural of “toilet” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Indeed, any little jealousy her lovely presence might occasion was usually summed up in the terse innuendo, “Fine feathers make fine birds.”
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Ruth always dressed well.
well-dressedadjective
having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Having a full purse, she could humor every occasion with a change of gown; being possessed of good taste, her toilets never offended; desiring to look pleasing, as every woman should, she studied what was becoming; having a mother to whom a good toilet was one of the most pressing convenances, and who delighted in planning beautiful gowns for her beautiful daughter, there was nothing lacking to prevent Ruth from being well-dressed.
