used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
AlbertnounUS /ˈælbərt/
prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
next to; at the side of
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/
a hat tied under the chin
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Miss Sabrina was ostensibly looking out of the window, but she really saw nothing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
contrastedverbUS /kənˈtræstəd/
past form of “contrast” — put in opposition to show or emphasize differences
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
crapenoun
small very thin pancake
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
desponding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
put on clothes
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
fantasticadjectiveUS /fænˈtæstɪk/
ludicrously odd
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
death of a person
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Miss Sabrina was ostensibly looking out of the window, but she really saw nothing.
maiden's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
mourningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
neighbornounUS /ˈneɪbər/
a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
nephewnounUS /ˈnefjuː/
a son of your brother or sister
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Miss Sabrina was ostensibly looking out of the window, but she really saw nothing.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
ostensiblyadverbUS /ɑːˈstensəbli/
from appearances alone
From this reading Miss Sabrina was ostensibly looking out of the window, but she really saw nothing.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Miss Sabrina was ostensibly looking out of the window, but she really saw nothing.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Miss Sabrina was ostensibly looking out of the window, but she really saw nothing.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
ribbedadjectiveUS /rɪbd/
furnished or strengthened with ribs
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
Sabrina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
cut with a saw
From this reading Miss Sabrina was ostensibly looking out of the window, but she really saw nothing.
express in words
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miss Sabrina was ostensibly looking out of the window, but she really saw nothing.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
refrain from harming
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
spectaclesnounUS /ˈspektəkəlz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
unnoticedadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊtɪst/
not noticed
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
venerableadjectiveUS /ˈvenərəbəl/
impressive by reason of age
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
precisely as stated
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading MISS Sabrina sat by her accustomed window an hour after the return from the grave, waiting for Albert.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The mourning dress, borrowed for the occasion from a neighbor, was cut in so modern a fashion, contrasted with the venerable maiden’s habitual garments, that it gave her spare figure almost a fantastic air.
showing curiosity
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She was thinking very steadily about the coming interview with her nephew, and what she would say to him, and wondering, desponding, hoping about his answers.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The bonnet, with its yard of dense, coarse ribbed crape, lay on the table at her elbow, beside her spectacles and the unnoticed Bible.
