used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
awakeningnounUS /əˈweɪkənɪŋ/
the act of waking
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
an occurrence of something
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
COMMISSIONnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
contemplatingverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
DowagernounUS /ˈdaʊədʒər/
a widow holding property received from her deceased husband
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
externaladjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɜːrnəl/
happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
faultlessly-kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
FitzgeraldnounUS /fɪtsˈdʒerəld/
English poet remembered primarily for his free translation of the poetry of Omar Khayyam (1809-1883)
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
irritantsnounUS /ˈɪrətənts/
plural of “irritant” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
Isabelle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
joyouslyadverb
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
Kingsland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
manornounUS /ˈmænər/
the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
MarchionessnounUS /ˈmɑːrʃənɪs/
the wife or widow of a marquis
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
napnounUS /næp/
a period of time spent sleeping
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
on one occasion
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
and nothing more
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
signallingverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəlɪŋ/
inflected form of “signal” — communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
slumbered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
in the near future
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
supremeadjectiveUS /səˈpriːm/
final or last in your life or progress
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A LITTLE COMMISSION Lady Isabelle and Lieutenant Kingsland sat on the lawn before the old manor house in the soft glow of an English afternoon, contemplating the inevitable.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
two times
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
unutterableadjective
too sacred to be uttered
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
vialsnounUS /ˈvaɪəlz/
plural of “vial” — a small bottle that contains a drug (especially a sealed sterile container for injection by needle)
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
in or at the place that
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading But it happened that while the Dowager slumbered, Miss Fitzgerald, slipping around the corner of the house, appeared in the background, and signalling to the Lieutenant to come to her, where they could talk without awakening the Marchioness, gave him his telegram.
which person or people
From this reading In this case the inevitable was represented by the Dowager, who was enjoying a peaceful nap not fifty feet away.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading He read its contents once, twice, and a third time, word by word, gave a sigh of unutterable relief, and then laughed joyously.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
From this reading Only fifty feet of faultlessly-kept turf separated them from the vials of a mother's wrath; and in spite of their supreme happiness of the morning, they felt the presence of this gathering storm which must now be faced--as soon as the Marchioness awoke--for to wake her would put her in a bad temper, and her rage promised to be violent enough without any external irritants.
