used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
anew
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
any thing at all
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
next to; at the side of
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
lacking funds
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
power to direct or determine
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
coquettishadjective
like a coquette
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
dartverbUS /dɑːrt/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
dishnounUS /dɪʃ/
a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
take in solid food
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
expertnessnoun
skillfulness by virtue of possessing special knowledge
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
frocknounUS /frɑːk/
a long, loose outer garment
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
a man of refinement
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
a young female
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
plural of “glimpse” — a quick look
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
imitationnounUS /ˌɪməˈteɪʃən/
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
jumblenounUS /ˈdʒʌmbəl/
a confused multitude of things
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
lady-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
languagesnounUS /ˈlæŋɡwədʒəz/
plural of “language” — a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
lidsnounUS /lɪdz/
plural of “lid” — either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
likeliest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
lumpnounUS /lʌmp/
a compact mass
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
lumpsnounUS /lʌmps/
plural of “lump” — a compact mass
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
social deportment
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
Mimi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
nastyadjectiveUS /ˈnæsti/
offensive or even (of persons) malicious
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
nestlingnounUS /ˈnestlɪŋ/
young bird not yet fledged
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
outbreaknounUS /ˈaʊtbreɪk/
a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
pacifiedverbUS /ˈpæsəfaɪd/
inflected form of “pacify” — cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
a human being
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
powerlessadjectiveUS /ˈpaʊərləs/
lacking power
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
past form of “protest” — utter words of protest
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
pursedverbUS /pɜːrst/
past form of “purse” — contract one's lips into a rounded shape
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
resumeverbUS /rɪˈzuːm/
take up or begin anew
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
screamedverbUS /skriːmd/
past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
get by special effort
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
snatchedverbUS /snætʃt/
past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
TeresanounUS /tərˈiːsə/
Indian nun and missionary in the Roman Catholic Church (born of Albanian parents in what is now Macedonia); dedicated to helping the poor in India (1910-1997)
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They did their best, and the little girl indeed (her mother called her Mimi) straightened her frock and folded her hands and pursed her lips in a careful imitation of Teresa, enjoying the pretence of social and lady-like manners.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
not known
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
the act of using
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
voraciousadjectiveUS /vɔːˈreɪʃəs/
excessively greedy and grasping
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
at the time that
From this reading But she broke down when a dish of food appeared, and she then became the voracious nestling, passionate to be the first to get her fingers into the mess and to secure the likeliest lumps.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading She screamed to her mother in a jumble of languages to give her _that_ bit, the best, not the nasty scrap beside it; her mother ordered and protested, Mimi fought and snatched--on the arrival of anything fresh to eat there was an outbreak of the free life of the wild.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She improved on her example with a coquettish dart of her eyes (at the gentleman of the party) under lowered lids; she had a native expertness beyond the rest of us, and at intervals through the meal she remembered to use it.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Mimi, pacified with the lump she needed, was again a young person of gracious style; and Teresa, quite powerless before these glimpses of the unknown, could resume her control of the occasion and the ceremony.
