used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
ALBUMnounUS /ˈælbəm/
one or more recordings issued together; originally released on 12-inch phonograph records (usually with attractive record covers) and later on cassette audiotape and compact disc
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
Alexandra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
approbationnounUS /ˌæprəˈbeɪʃən/
official approval
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
assurancenounUS /əˈʃʊrəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
Beggoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Then she turned with a swoop and a swish of her wide blue taffeta skirts.
blurredadjectiveUS /blɜːrd/
indistinct or hazy in outline
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/
a hat tied under the chin
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
chignonnoun
a roll of hair worn at the nape of the neck
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
cloudyadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdi/
lacking definite form or limits
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
correctionnounUS /kərˈekʃən/
the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
a social unit living together
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
finenessnoun
the quality of being very good indeed
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
floweryadjectiveUS /ˈflaʊəri/
of or relating to or suggestive of flowers
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
coins made of gold
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
GROWTHnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
hardnessnounUS /ˈhɑːrdnəs/
the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
jacketnounUS /ˈdʒækət/
a short coat
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
lapelsnounUS /ləˈpelz/
plural of “lapel” — lap at the front of a coat; continuation of the coat collar
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
engage in
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
materiallyadverbUS /məˈtɪriəli/
with respect to material aspects
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
modellingnounUS /ˈmɑːdəlɪŋ/
a preliminary sculpture in wax or clay from which a finished work can be copied
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
newly-made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
notablyadverbUS /ˈnoʊtəbli/
especially; in particular
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
patverbUS /pæt/
pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
pegtop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
quickeningnounUS /ˈkwɪkənɪŋ/
the process of showing signs of life
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
cut with a saw
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Then she turned with a swoop and a swish of her wide blue taffeta skirts.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
smoothedadjectiveUS /smuːðd/
made smooth by ironing
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
so-calledadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊˈkɔːld/
doubtful or suspect
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
splendournoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
stoopedadjectiveUS /stuːpt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
swishverbUS /swɪʃ/
move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound
From this reading Then she turned with a swoop and a swish of her wide blue taffeta skirts.
swoopnounUS /swuːp/
(music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale
From this reading Then she turned with a swoop and a swish of her wide blue taffeta skirts.
swoopedverbUS /swuːpt/
past form of “swoop” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
taffetanounUS /ˈtæfətə/
a crisp smooth lustrous fabric
From this reading Then she turned with a swoop and a swish of her wide blue taffeta skirts.
carry out
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she turned with a swoop and a swish of her wide blue taffeta skirts.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
thicknessnounUS /ˈθɪknəs/
the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
too-rounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
having come into contact
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Then she turned with a swoop and a swish of her wide blue taffeta skirts.
twenty-onenounUS /ˈtwentiwɔːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty and one
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
upwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
Vassie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
Vassilissa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
WalesnounUS /weɪlz/
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; during Roman times the region was known as Cambria
From this reading She gave a pat, more approbation than correction, to a rose on the bonnet, smoothed the lapels of her Alexandra jacket--so-called after the newly-made Princess of Wales--and pulled up her gloves under its pegtop sleeves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GROWTH A FAMILY ALBUM Vassilissa Beggoe stooped to take a final look at herself in the small mirror, for she was so tall that, in her flowery bonnet that swooped upwards from her piled chignon, she nearly touched the sloping roof of her bedroom.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
a Caucasian
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading She stooped and gave a glow--half smile, half a quickening of light, over her whole face--at what she saw in the cloudy glass, which could not materially dim her white and gold splendour.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Then she turned with a swoop and a swish of her wide blue taffeta skirts.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then she turned with a swoop and a swish of her wide blue taffeta skirts.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading A slight thickness of modelling here and there, notably in the short nose and too-rounded chin, blurred the fineness of her beauty and might make for hardness later on, but now, at twenty-one, Vassie's wonderful skin and her splendid assurance were too dazzling for criticism to look at her and live.
