used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a few hours later.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
anew
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
baronessnounUS /ˈberənɪs/
a noblewoman who holds the rank of baron or who is the wife or widow of a baron
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
chateaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
an impressive country house (or castle) in France
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
let fall to the ground
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
economicaladjectiveUS /ˌekəˈnɑːmɪkəl/
using the minimum of time or resources necessary for effectiveness
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
embroiderynounUS /emˈbrɔɪdəri/
elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
every person
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was a few hours later.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
set up or found
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
the act of departing
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading It was a few hours later.
not in action or at work
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a few hours later.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It was a few hours later.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
absolutely essential
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
and nothing more
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
pantrynounUS /ˈpæntri/
a small storeroom for storing foods or wines
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
with speed
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
recurring again and again
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
sewedadjectiveUS /soʊd/
fastened with stitches
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
be seated
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
not in physical motion
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
stitchesnounUS /ˈstɪtʃɪz/
plural of “stitch” — a link or loop or knot made by an implement in knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or sewing
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The baroness was sitting in her room, in her accustomed place near the open glass door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading This was several times repeated, for there was an active movement going on at the chateau.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
precisely as stated
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a few hours later.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
at the time that
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Everybody was more or less busy with preparations for the evening, and the economical baroness found it very difficult to sit still, doing nothing, when her presence was so necessary in kitchen and pantry.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading She had an embroidery in her lap; but her hands were idle, and only when steps were heard approaching the door, which opened upon the passage, she quickly took up her work and sewed a few stitches, letting it drop again in her lap when the steps had passed.
