used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
consider or hold as true
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
react verbally
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
conclusionsnounUS /kənˈkluːʒənz/
plural of “conclusion” — a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
contrarietynoun
the relation between contraries
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
a young female
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
death of a person
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
headachenounUS /ˈhedeɪk/
something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
independencenounUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/
freedom from control or influence of another or others
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
go away from a place
From this reading It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.
Matilde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading Matilde knew that Veronica had considerable gifts of contrariety, and that it would be a mistake to press her too closely for a definite answer.
problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
a state of social isolation
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.
traditionnounUS /trəˈdɪʃən/
an inherited pattern of thought or action
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
ultimateadjectiveUS /ˈʌltəmət/
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
unnaturaladjectiveUS /ənˈnætʃərəl/
not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
VeronicanounUS /vərˈɑːnɪkə/
any plant of the genus Veronica
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
wiseradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzər/
comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading Matilde thought it not unnatural that the girl should wish to reflect in solitude upon the grave problem which had been given her for consideration.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Veronica did not appear at dinner that evening, but remained in her room, sending word to the countess that she had a headache and wished to be alone.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be wiser, too, not to disturb her, but to leave her to herself to reach her own conclusions.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Besides, it was always a tradition in such cases that a young girl should have, in name at least, perfect independence of action, and the ultimate right to refuse an offer or accept it.
