used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
(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 herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
annoyedadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The neighbors had certainly never expected Isobel McLaughlin to “take on” in such a fashion.
Chirstie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
a state at a particular time
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
cousinsnounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
eyelidnounUS /ˈaɪlɪd/
either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The neighbors had certainly never expected Isobel McLaughlin to “take on” in such a fashion.
flutterverbUS /ˈflʌtər/
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
a young female
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
happieradjectiveUS /ˈhæpiər/
comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The neighbors had certainly never expected Isobel McLaughlin to “take on” in such a fashion.
infamynounUS /ˈɪnfəmi/
a state of extreme dishonor
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
Isobel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
McLaughlin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The neighbors had certainly never expected Isobel McLaughlin to “take on” in such a fashion.
McLaughlin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading The neighbors had certainly never expected Isobel McLaughlin to “take on” in such a fashion.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The neighbors had certainly never expected Isobel McLaughlin to “take on” in such a fashion.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
notchnounUS /nɑːtʃ/
a V-shaped indentation
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The neighbors had certainly never expected Isobel McLaughlin to “take on” in such a fashion.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
scandalnounUS /ˈskændəl/
disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
only a very short time before
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
self-reliancenoun
personal independence
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
sisters-in-lawnounUS /ˈsɪstərzɪnlɔː/
plural of “sister-in-law” — the sister of your spouse
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
in the near future
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The neighbors had certainly never expected Isobel McLaughlin to “take on” in such a fashion.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
carry out
From this reading The neighbors had certainly never expected Isobel McLaughlin to “take on” in such a fashion.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The infamy of Chirstie’s condition, becoming known, had been scarcely less interesting than the scandal of Isobel McLaughlin’s attitude toward it.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She herself had told her sister and her sisters-in-law what was soon to be expected from the girl, and all her cousins and friends.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Some of them had been annoyed at times by her self-reliance, her full trust in her own powers, and were not exactly sorry to hear of this affair which must “set her down a notch.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
Wully's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She had informed them of it casually, without the flutter of an eyelid, as if, to be sure, a little less haste might have been from some points of view desirable, but, after all, Wully’s marriage was the one she would have chosen for him if she had had her choice, and the young pair would be happier with a baby.
