used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
(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 This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
the act of burning something
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
deem to be
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
carefully weighed
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
feelings of ardent love
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
DomesticitynounUS /ˌdoʊmeˈstɪsəti/
the quality of being domestic or domesticated
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
dominatedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːməneɪtəd/
controlled or ruled by superior authority or power
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
a social unit living together
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
forknounUS /fɔːrk/
cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
healthyadjectiveUS /ˈhelθi/
having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
incensenounUS /ˌɪnˈsens/
a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
intensitynounUS /ɪnˈtensəti/
the amount of energy transmitted (as by acoustic or electromagnetic radiation)
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
involvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlvd/
connected by participation or association or use
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
immediately past
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
LilynounUS /ˈlɪli/
any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
markingnounUS /ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
a distinguishing symbol
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
parentnounUS /ˈperənt/
a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
precisionnounUS /priˈsɪʒən/
the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
recessesnounUS /ˈriːsesəz/
plural of “recess” — a state of abeyance or suspended business
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
rosinessnoun
a rosy color (especially in the cheeks) taken as a sign of good health
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
skyscrapernounUS /ˈskaɪskreɪpər/
a very tall building with many stories
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
in or at or to some place
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading It was the gesture of an ardent housekeeper burning incense before the Gods of Domesticity, the abandoned devotion of an artist striving for perfection.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
thoroughnessnounUS /ˈθɜːroʊnəs/
conscientiousness in performing all aspects of a task
From this reading It was impossible for her to do things easily; the placing of each fork involved as much precision, as much thoroughness and intensity as the building of a bridge or a skyscraper.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
Tolliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
at the time that
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was an operation into which Mrs. Tolliver threw all the great energy and force of her character.
which person or people
From this reading It was Lily who still dominated her thoughts when she descended at last to find her mother setting the table for the family supper.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading For an instant Ellen stood in the doorway watching her mother as if somewhere in the recesses of her clever brain she considered this parent as she might consider a stranger, marking the woman’s strong face, her vigorous black hair, the rosiness of her healthy cheeks.
