used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading Yet it was impossible not to feel annoyance.
any thing at all
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
brought into existence
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
developingadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpɪŋ/
relating to societies in which capital needed to industrialize is in short supply
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
distressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstresɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
divisible by two
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Yet it was impossible not to feel annoyance.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
frivolousadjectiveUS /ˈfrɪvələs/
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
in a gradual manner
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Yet it was impossible not to feel annoyance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
Lottie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
a particular point in time
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
NelsonnounUS /ˈnelsən/
English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Yet it was impossible not to feel annoyance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
and nothing more
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading From an existence absorbed in the pursuit of business he gave himself for the moment to one absorbed in pursuit of the frivolous.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
surprisesnounUS /sərˈpraɪzɪz/
plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
surprisingadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
causing surprise or wonder or amazement
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
tendencynounUS /ˈtendənsi/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It dawned only gradually on Alice that her husband was developing a surprising tendency.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He walked into the life that went on at the Nelson home as if he had been born to it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
a late time of life
From this reading Alice wondered how he could find anything in Lottie Nelson and her following to interest him; but her husband had offered two or three unpleasant, even distressing, surprises within as few years and she took this new one with less consternation than if it had been the first.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet it was impossible not to feel annoyance.
