adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading But although her body was still, her mind was active.
advicenounUS /ædˈvaɪs/
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
babynounUS /ˈbeɪbi/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading But although her body was still, her mind was active.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But although her body was still, her mind was active.
consequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
constitutionnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈtuːʃən/
law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
continuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəs/
continuing in time or space without interruption
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
endowedadjectiveUS /enˈdaʊd/
provided or supplied or equipped with (especially as by inheritance or nature)
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
exertverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrt/
put to use
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
fatesnounUS /feɪts/
plural of “fate” — an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
FollowingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
foodnounUS /fuːd/
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
frettedadjectiveUS /ˈfretɪd/
having frets
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
HourlyadjectiveUS /ˈaʊrli/
occurring every hour or payable by the hour
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
ill-cooked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
incompetentnounUS /ˌɪnˈkɑːmpətənt/
someone who is not competent to take effective action
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
magnificentadjectiveUS /mæɡˈnɪfəsənt/
characterized by grandeur
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
mattersnounUS /ˈmætərz/
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
MavisnounUS /ˈmeɪvɪs/
common Old World thrush noted for its song
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But although her body was still, her mind was active.
misfortunesnounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “misfortune” — unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
nursingnounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/
the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
Perigal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
permanent's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
possiblyadverbUS /ˈpɑːsəbli/
by chance
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
quicklyadverbUS /ˈkwɪkli/
with speed
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
recoveredadjectiveUS /rəˈkʌvərd/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
replynounUS /rɪˈplaɪ/
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
taxverbUS /tæks/
levy a tax on
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She fretted because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
vitalitynounUS /vaɪˈtæləti/
an energetic style
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hourly she felt better, although the nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality.
WhateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Following the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly help.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she quickly recovered strength.
