used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
how long something has existed
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
in the past
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
(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 What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
boarding-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
a female human offspring
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
discontentedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪskənˈtentɪdli/
with discontent; in a discontented manner
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
exquisiteadjectiveUS /ˈekskwəzət/
intense or sharp
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
and nothing more
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
a brief written record
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
and nothing more
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
scathingadjectiveUS /ˈskeɪðɪŋ/
marked by harshly abusive criticism
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
sofanounUS /ˈsoʊfə/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
spoilverbUS /spɔɪl/
make a mess of, destroy or ruin
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE THEATER.
THEATERnounUS /ˈθiːətər/
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading THE THEATER.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
Trelane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
unpaidadjectiveUS /ənˈpeɪd/
not paid
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Just a week ago her only child, aged seventeen, had been returned from her cheap boarding-school with a scathing note from the principal regarding her unpaid bills.
well-laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
at the time that
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
belonging to which person
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading She spoke to her own reflection in the glass with an angry frown.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
a late time of life
From this reading What was the good of an exquisite toilet, of a face that did not look within ten years of its age, when seated on the sofa opposite was a grown-up daughter whose presence in the house might spoil all her own well-laid plans?
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I don’t see,” said Mrs. Trelane discontentedly, “why the woman could not have kept you.”
