used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mrs Clay was evidently worn out by the events of the day.
ClaynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
CunninghamnounUS /ˈkʌnɪŋhæm/
United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1922)
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Mrs Clay was evidently worn out by the events of the day.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Mrs Clay was evidently worn out by the events of the day.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Mrs Clay was evidently worn out by the events of the day.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
Horatia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
kickingnounUS /ˈkɪkɪŋ/
a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
NANCYnounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading NANCY PACKS UP.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mrs Clay was evidently worn out by the events of the day.
outletnounUS /ˈaʊtlet/
a place of business for retailing goods
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
PACKSnounUS /pæks/
plural of “pack” — a large indefinite number
From this reading NANCY PACKS UP.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
PersiannounUS /ˈpɜːrʒən/
a native or inhabitant of Iran
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
possessing material wealth
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
be seated
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
superfluousadjectiveUS /ˈsuːpərflwʌs/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Poor Mrs Clay lay down on the sofa in the drawing-room and shut her eyes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
the act of testing something
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading NANCY PACKS UP.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Horatia sat beside her, kicking the corner of one of the rich Persian rugs that lay about the drawing-room; not that she was in a bad temper--indeed, Horatia was rarely in a bad temper--but as an outlet to her superfluous energy.
at the time that
From this reading It was pain and grief to Horatia Cunningham to sit still at any time; but this afternoon, when she felt so excited and wanted to hear all about the fire, it was a severe trial to her patience.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading Mrs Clay was evidently worn out by the events of the day.
