used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
AdmiralnounUS /ˈædmərəl/
the supreme commander of a fleet; ranks above a vice admiral and below a fleet admiral
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
aigrettenoun
a long plume (especially one of egret feathers) worn on a hat or a piece of jewelry in the shape of a plume
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
the two together, not just one
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
confined by bonds
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
braidverbUS /breɪd/
make by braiding or interlacing
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
complexionnounUS /kəmˈplekʃən/
the coloring of a person's face
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
deferencenounUS /ˈdefərəns/
a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
divisible by two
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
fendernounUS /ˈfendər/
a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
heliotropenounUS /ˈhiːliətroʊp/
green chalcedony with red spots that resemble blood
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The Admiral met her in a friendly fashion in the hall, and brought her in.
MONICA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
Monica's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
Norman'snounUS /ˈnɔːrmənz/
possessive form of “norman” — United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
rougenounUS /ruːʒ/
makeup consisting of a pink or red powder applied to the cheeks
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
russet-brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
satinnounUS /ˈsætən/
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
sheathnounUS /ʃiːθ/
a protective covering (as for a knife or sword)
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
SidneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/
English poet (1554-1586)
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
Sidney's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She took hold of both Sidney's hands, but did not offer to kiss her.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading But her manner was sweet and gracious, and had a touch of deference in it to the Admiral.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
warmingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrmɪŋ/
imparting heat
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her gown was of a heliotrope satin; it fitted her like a sheath; her dark hair was bound with silver braid and an aigrette; her complexion was, to even Monica's eyes, slightly made up with rouge and powder.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A DIFFICULT TIME MONICA, in a grey silk gown, and Sidney, in a russet-brown velvet with old point lace, stood in the drawing-room, warming their feet on the fender and waiting for Mrs. Norman's arrival.
