adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
AdheringverbUS /ədˈhɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “adhere” — be compatible or in accordance with
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
baronies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
bobbingverbUS /ˈbɑːbɪŋ/
inflected form of “bob” — move up and down repeatedly
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
bownounUS /baʊ/
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
Brantefield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
bridledverbUS /ˈbraɪdəld/
past form of “bridle” — anger or take offense
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
ceremonynounUS /ˈserəmoʊni/
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
circumferencenounUS /ˌsɜːrˈkʌmfrəns/
the size of something as given by the distance around it
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
concentring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
correctverbUS /kərˈekt/
make right or correct
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
CountessnounUS /ˈkaʊntəs/
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
deferencenounUS /ˈdefərəns/
a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
exactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
fashionnounUS /ˈfæʃən/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
gentlemannounUS /ˈdʒentəlmən/
a man of refinement
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
haughty-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
head-dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
herspronounUS /hərz/
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
hoopnounUS /huːp/
a light curved skeleton to spread out a skirt
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
imagenounUS /ˈɪmədʒ/
an iconic mental representation
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
introductionnounUS /ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃən/
the act of beginning something new
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
ladyshipnoun
a title used to address any peeress except a duchess
From this reading My mother presented me to her ladyship.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
mankindnounUS /ˈmænˈkaɪnd/
all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading My mother presented me to her ladyship.
movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
noddingadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
picturenounUS /ˈpɪktʃər/
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
presentedverbUS /priˈzentɪd/
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading My mother presented me to her ladyship.
profoundadjectiveUS /proʊˈfaʊnd/
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
provedadjectiveUS /pruːvd/
established beyond doubt
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
religiouslyadverbUS /rɪˈlɪdʒəsli/
by religion
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
stepping-curtsy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
stiffadjectiveUS /stɪf/
not moving or operating freely
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
timesnounUS /taɪmz/
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
tricknounUS /trɪk/
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was in black, in a hoop of vast circumference, and she looked and moved as if her being Countess de Brantefield in her own right, and concentring in her person five baronies, ought to be for ever present to the memory of all mankind, as it was to her own.
wearverbUS /wer/
be dressed in
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading My recollection of Lady de Brantefield proved wonderfully correct; she gave me back the image I had in my mind--a stiff, haughty-looking picture of a faded old beauty.
worshippedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrʃəpt/
regarded with deep or rapturous love (especially as if for a god)
From this reading Adhering religiously to the fashion of the times when she had been worshipped, she made it a point to wear the old head-dress exactly.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The ceremony of introduction between a young gentleman and an old lady of those times, performed on his part with a low bow and look of profound deference, on hers, with back stepping-curtsy and bridled head, was very different from the nodding, bobbing trick of the present day.
