used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "_I_ didn't know you were about."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh," he said easily, "I ain't got much to do to-day.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
arrangingnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒɪŋ/
the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
brightenverbUS /ˈbraɪtən/
make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_I_ didn't know you were about."
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Oh," he said easily, "I ain't got much to do to-day.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading "Oh," he said easily, "I ain't got much to do to-day.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
divisible by two
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
assemble or get together
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
destroyed or killed
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Oh," he said easily, "I ain't got much to do to-day.
grudgingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrʌdʒɪŋ/
of especially an attitude
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Oh," he said easily, "I ain't got much to do to-day.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
husband'snounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "_I_ didn't know you were about."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
improvisedadjectiveUS /ˈɪmprəvaɪzd/
done or made using whatever is available
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "_I_ didn't know you were about."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
a particular point in time
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "Oh," he said easily, "I ain't got much to do to-day.
not one, and not any
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
nosegaynoun
an arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh," he said easily, "I ain't got much to do to-day.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
puddingnounUS /ˈpʊdɪŋ/
any of various soft thick unsweetened baked dishes
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Oh," he said easily, "I ain't got much to do to-day.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
for a short time
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh," he said easily, "I ain't got much to do to-day.
tributenounUS /ˈtrɪbjuːt/
something given or done as an expression of esteem
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading It was so unusual for him to return at this hour that for a moment she was almost startled.
vasenounUS /veɪs/
an open jar of glass or porcelain used as an ornament or to hold flowers
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
warenounUS /wer/
articles of the same kind or material; usually used in combination: “silverware”, “software”
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "_I_ didn't know you were about."
at the time that
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
Wickham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was busily engaged in arranging them in a pudding bowl, smiling to think that her hand had lost none of the cunning to which Miss Wickham had always paid grudging tribute, even if her improvised vase was of homely ware, when she heard her husband's step at the door.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading One afternoon, shortly after dinner, she had gone out to gather a nosegay of wild flowers to brighten her little living-room.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "_I_ didn't know you were about."
