used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading The door had scarcely closed upon the attendant when Madame de Beaumesnil said:
Beaumesnil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The door had scarcely closed upon the attendant when Madame de Beaumesnil said:
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
a female human offspring
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
departverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrt/
move away from a place into another direction
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The door had scarcely closed upon the attendant when Madame de Beaumesnil said:
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
feverishadjectiveUS /ˈfiːvərɪʃ/
marked by intense agitation or emotion
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
flushnounUS /flʌʃ/
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The door had scarcely closed upon the attendant when Madame de Beaumesnil said:
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading THE PRIVATE INTERVIEW.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading The door had scarcely closed upon the attendant when Madame de Beaumesnil said:
a female domestic
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
Mme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
overspreadverb
spread across or over
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading THE PRIVATE INTERVIEW.
profitnounUS /ˈprɑːfət/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
prostrationnounUS /prɑːˈstreɪʃən/
an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The door had scarcely closed upon the attendant when Madame de Beaumesnil said:
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
only a very short time before
From this reading The door had scarcely closed upon the attendant when Madame de Beaumesnil said:
sparkleverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəl/
reflect brightly
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
superhumanadjectiveUS /ˌsuːpərˈhjuːmən/
above or beyond the human or demanding more than human power or endurance
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The poor mother felt sure now of at least an hour alone with her daughter.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PRIVATE INTERVIEW.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
triumphantadjectiveUS /traɪˈʌmfənt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
unnaturaladjectiveUS /ənˈnætʃərəl/
not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature
From this reading Thanks to this happiness, a faint flush overspread her pallid cheeks, her dim eyes began to sparkle with a feverish light, and the intense prostration gave place to an unnatural excitement, for the countess was making an almost superhuman effort to profit by this opportunity to talk with her daughter alone.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The door had scarcely closed upon the attendant when Madame de Beaumesnil said:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
at the time that
From this reading The door had scarcely closed upon the attendant when Madame de Beaumesnil said:
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was with an expression of almost triumphant satisfaction that Mme. de Beaumesnil watched her maid depart.
