used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
(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 The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
BeatricenounUS /ˈbiːətrəs/
the woman who guided Dante through Paradise in the Divine Comedy
From this reading SNOW'S PAST Beatrice waited to hear no more.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
cruellyadverbUS /ˈkruːli/
excessively
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
curedadjectiveUS /kjʊrd/
freed from illness or injury
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
a female human offspring
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
DownsnounUS /daʊnz/
plural of “down” — soft fine feathers
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
ex-butler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
with resolute determination
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
GrangenounUS /ɡreɪndʒ/
an outlying farm
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading SNOW'S PAST Beatrice waited to hear no more.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading SNOW'S PAST Beatrice waited to hear no more.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading MRS.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
not any; not one
From this reading SNOW'S PAST Beatrice waited to hear no more.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
OrchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/
garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
outlivedverbUS /ˌaʊtˈlɪvd/
past form of “outlive” — live longer than
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading SNOW'S PAST Beatrice waited to hear no more.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
done under pressure
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
shepherdnounUS /ˈʃepərd/
a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
SNOW'SnounUS /snoʊz/
possessive form of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading SNOW'S PAST Beatrice waited to hear no more.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
statedadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtɪd/
declared as fact; explicitly stated
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Orchard looked after her in mild surprise, but did not call her back, although her action must have puzzled him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading The ex-butler seemed to have outlived all curiosity, or else the Downs had cured his nerves so thoroughly that he did not feel startled.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SNOW'S PAST Beatrice waited to hear no more.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading SNOW'S PAST Beatrice waited to hear no more.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
in or at the place that
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
which person or people
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading As a sensible woman, she should have remained where she was to question the old shepherd, and learn why he stated so firmly that she was the daughter of Colonel Hall who had been murdered so cruelly at the Grange; but the mere fact of the announcement startled her, and without pausing, she rushed away, as though to escape from her thoughts.
