used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
(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 _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
appreciatedadjectiveUS /əˈpriːʃieɪtɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
arrangingnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒɪŋ/
the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
aspirationsnounUS /ˌæspərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
BrooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
costsnounUS /kɑːsts/
pecuniary reimbursement to the winning party for the expenses of litigation
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
curtailverbUS /kərˈteɪl/
place restrictions on
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
d'Estaire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
deliberatelyadverbUS /dɪˈlɪbərətli/
with intention; in an intentional manner
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
diabolicallyadverb
as a devil; in an evil manner
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
a British peer of the highest rank
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
equalsnounUS /ˈiːkwəlz/
plural of “equal” — a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
exaltedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɔːltɪd/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
FridaynounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
Gerard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
goalsnounUS /ɡoʊlz/
plural of “goal” — the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
Gwendoline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
Katherine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
come together
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
morning-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
Strobridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
carry out
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
taxiverbUS /ˈtæksi/
travel slowly
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
express in words
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading _But she would not fail._ It might be that the Duke would not be drawn to her--it was impossible to tell from that one afternoon what his temperament could be--but at all costs she must not fail in being a cultivated lady, a guest among equals, and so to take at least that place in his regard.
at the time that
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
whimsicaladjectiveUS /ˈwɪmzɪkəl/
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Friday night came and Katherine was ready to get into the taxi with Miss Gwendoline d'Estaire, she felt exalted as she had never done in her life.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Gerard Strobridge appreciated this point as he stood before the cheerful wood fire in the morning-room in Brook Street, awaiting his guests.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This evening would be the test of her powers--If she failed, then she would know that such high goals were not for her, and so she must curtail her aspirations.
would-beadjective
unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
From this reading There was something almost diabolically whimsical in the fact that one passionate would-be lover was deliberately arranging that his lady should meet a possible rival!
