used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
anew
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
(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 had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
approvalnounUS /əˈpruːvəl/
the formal act of approving
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
for the reason that
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
BethnounUS /beθ/
the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
conceitnounUS /kənˈsiːt/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
provide a cure for, make healthy again
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
DanielnounUS /ˈdænjəl/
(Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown into a den of lions (6th century BC)
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
recognizable; marked
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
depressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈprest/
lower than previously
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
diffidencenoun
lack of self-confidence
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
put on clothes
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
elatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈleɪtəd/
exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
encouragementnounUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the expression of approval and support
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
the force of workers available
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
myrtlenounUS /ˈmɜːrtəl/
widely cultivated as a groundcover for its dark green shiny leaves and usually blue-violet flowers
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
absolutely essential
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
not any; not one
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
not one, and not any
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
something you have to do
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
professionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
express in words
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the early days of their acquaintance he had remarked that she was much more easily depressed than elated about herself, and would be the better of a little more confidence--not to say conceit; but since their marriage he had never given her the slightest sympathy or encouragement to cure her of her diffidence.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
trimmedadjectiveUS /trɪmd/
made neat and tidy by trimming
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
precisely as stated
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
at the time that
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
a Caucasian
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
winsomeadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnsəm/
charming in a childlike or naive way
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading When she came down to dinner dressed in it on the night of the ball, she looked very winsome, and smiled up at Dan in shy expectation of a word of approval; but none came.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading She had never worn her white silk trimmed with myrtle, and when she came to look at it again, she decided that it was not so much out of the fashion after all, and, at any rate, it must do.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She felt obliged to go to it because he insisted that it was necessary for the wives of professional men to show themselves on public occasions; but she would not get a new dress.
zestnounUS /zest/
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
From this reading Beth had no more zest for the ball after that conversation with Daniel about the money her mother had given him.
