used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
alleviationnounUS /əˌliːviˈeɪʃən/
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
aloofnessnounUS /əˈluːfnəs/
indifference by personal withdrawal
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
in addition
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
Aunt'snounUS /ænts/
possessive form of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
auntsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “aunt” — the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
brandnounUS /brænd/
a name given to a product or service
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
the act of burning something
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
compoundnounUS /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
derivedadjectiveUS /dərˈaɪvd/
formed or developed from something else; not original
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
etherealadjectiveUS /ɪˈθɪriəl/
characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
opinion or judgment
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
a social unit living together
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
glamournounUS /ˈɡlæmər/
alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
half-seas-overadjective
British informal for “intoxicated”
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
impersonallyadverb
without warmth
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
ineffableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnefəbəl/
defying expression or description
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
insightnounUS /ˈɪnsaɪt/
clear or deep perception of a situation
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
MARGERINE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
nostrilsnounUS /ˈnɑːstrəlz/
plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
not divisible by two
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
pegsnounUS /peɡz/
plural of “peg” — a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
pitch-blackadjective
extremely dark
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
plasticadjectiveUS /ˈplæstɪk/
capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material)
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
PlungingverbUS /ˈplʌndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
pullulating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
rescuedadjectiveUS /ˈreskjuːd/
delivered from danger
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
shrivelledadjective
(used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
silver-plated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
make square
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
sugar-tongs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
tempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
troughnounUS /trɔːf/
a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
unutterablyadverb
to an inexpressible degree
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
vileadjectiveUS /vaɪl/
morally reprehensible
From this reading The spectacle of burning leather was in her nostrils, and the vile smell of it gave her an insight into the situation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
at the time that
From this reading When MARGERINE entered there was the usual family aloofness in her face, but also a new element of alleviation.
in or at the place that
From this reading An odd, earnest, ineffable look jumped into her eyes, changing their grey to pitch-black, with patches of ethereal blue, where the soul shone through.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
womanhoodnounUS /ˈwʊmənhʊd/
the state of being an adult woman
From this reading Always plastic as the compound from which she derived her name she had now reached five feet seven and a half inches, and from the crest of her unutterably pullulating womanhood could afford to look down impersonally on her maiden aunts as they struggled in the trough like square pegs in a round hole.
intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
From this reading Plunging her Aunt's best silver-plated sugar-tongs into the flames, she rescued her shrivelled treasure, waved it above the coming tempest like a brand, and faced them, rigid with wrath, half-seas-over with the glamour of things.
