used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For a girl of her age, Priscilla had thought very little about the opposite sex.
absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
how long something has existed
From this reading For a girl of her age, Priscilla had thought very little about the opposite sex.
(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 Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This verdict, however, would have been most unfair.
beholders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
blemishnounUS /ˈblemɪʃ/
a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
carefully weighed
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
discoveringverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
exhibitionnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/
the act of exhibiting
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
a young female
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading This verdict, however, would have been most unfair.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
intentnessnoun
the quality of being intent and concentrated
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
used to form the superlative
From this reading This verdict, however, would have been most unfair.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
naïve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
observersnounUS /əbˈzɜːrvərz/
plural of “observer” — a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading For a girl of her age, Priscilla had thought very little about the opposite sex.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
PRISCILLA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading For a girl of her age, Priscilla had thought very little about the opposite sex.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
solelyadverbUS /ˈsoʊəli/
without any others being included or involved
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This verdict, however, would have been most unfair.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading For a girl of her age, Priscilla had thought very little about the opposite sex.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
undulyadverbUS /ənˈduːli/
to an undue degree
From this reading Though many people considered Priscilla a really handsome girl, she had always been inclined to be unduly modest regarding her personal appearance.
unfairadjectiveUS /ənˈfer/
not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
From this reading This verdict, however, would have been most unfair.
vanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
verdictnounUS /ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
From this reading This verdict, however, would have been most unfair.
precisely as stated
From this reading For a girl of her age, Priscilla had thought very little about the opposite sex.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her present scrutiny was solely for the purpose of discovering the blemish which she was sure must be apparent to all beholders.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading AN AFTERNOON CALL PRISCILLA sat at her little dressing table, studying her reflection in the mirror with an absorbed intentness which would have impressed nine observers out of ten as a naïve exhibition of vanity.
