used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
AdjustmentnounUS /əˈdʒʌstmənt/
making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
(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 Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
Carrington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading At last, when the old clock on the stairway struck eleven, Miss Carrington rose.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
distinguishableadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
capable of being perceived as different or distinct
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
in a serious manner
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
earnestnessnounUS /ˈɜːrnəstnəs/
an earnest and sincere feeling
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
being one more than ten
From this reading At last, when the old clock on the stairway struck eleven, Miss Carrington rose.
emphasizedadjectiveUS /ˈemfəsaɪzd/
spoken with emphasis
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
apart from; not including
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
the organ of sight
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
gratifiedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪd/
having received what was desired
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
of great significance or value
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
KitnounUS /kɪt/
a case for containing a set of articles
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
immediately past
From this reading At last, when the old clock on the stairway struck eleven, Miss Carrington rose.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
malicenounUS /ˈmæləs/
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
MinervanounUS /məˈnɜːrvə/
(Roman mythology) goddess of wisdom; counterpart of Greek Athena
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
not any; not one
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading At last, when the old clock on the stairway struck eleven, Miss Carrington rose.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At last, when the old clock on the stairway struck eleven, Miss Carrington rose.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
plusnounUS /plʌs/
a useful or valuable quality
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
move upward
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading At last, when the old clock on the stairway struck eleven, Miss Carrington rose.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading At last, when the old clock on the stairway struck eleven, Miss Carrington rose.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
up to a particular time
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
at the time that
From this reading At last, when the old clock on the stairway struck eleven, Miss Carrington rose.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “She will know all about it, _plus_, but there is no reason why she should be gratified now,” said Miss Carrington, malice in her eye.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Adjustment_ After Kit had left them Miss Carrington and Helen remained till late talking earnestly, with their chairs drawn close.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Their voices rose and fell--the fall emphasized--in all the earnestness of an important discussion, but never did they rise to the point at which words were distinguishable at any distance.
but in spite of that
From this reading Minerva passed in and out of the room behind them, and though its windows were open she heard nothing except a clear yet muffled murmur.
