used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
adjustverbUS /əˈdʒʌst/
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
adjustedadjectiveUS /əˈdʒʌstɪd/
altered to accommodate to certain requirements or bring into a proper relation
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading STILE, AND HOW SHE WROTE HER LETTER AFTERWARDS.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading STILE, AND HOW SHE WROTE HER LETTER AFTERWARDS.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
without doubt or question
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
composeverbUS /kəmˈpoʊz/
form the substance of
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
intentionally conceived
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
only a very short time before
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading STILE, AND HOW SHE WROTE HER LETTER AFTERWARDS.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STILE, AND HOW SHE WROTE HER LETTER AFTERWARDS.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
go away from a place
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading STILE, AND HOW SHE WROTE HER LETTER AFTERWARDS.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
a particular point in time
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
absolutely essential
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
and nothing more
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
in other respects or ways
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
RachelnounUS /ˈreɪtʃəl/
(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
satisfactorilyadverbUS /ˌsætɪˈsfæktrəli/
in a satisfactory manner
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading STILE, AND HOW SHE WROTE HER LETTER AFTERWARDS.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
solitudenounUS /ˈsɑːlətuːd/
a state of social isolation
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
in the near future
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
STILEnounUS /staɪl/
an upright that is a member in a door or window frame
From this reading STILE, AND HOW SHE WROTE HER LETTER AFTERWARDS.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She had many thoughts to adjust in her mind which could not be adjusted satisfactorily otherwise than in solitude, and it was clearly necessary that they should be adjusted before she could write her letter.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
produce a literary work
From this reading Rachel, as soon as she had made her mother the promise that she would write the letter, left the parlour and went up to her own room.
the act of creating written works
From this reading She had threatened at one moment that she would leave the writing of it to her mother; but there came upon her a feeling, of which she was hardly conscious, that she herself might probably compose the letter in a strain of higher dignity than her mother would be likely to adopt.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading It must be remembered, not only that she had never before written a letter to a lover, but that she had never before written a letter of importance to any one.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading STILE, AND HOW SHE WROTE HER LETTER AFTERWARDS.
