used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
(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 Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They are of very ancient origin, almost as old as Satan himself.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading They are of very ancient origin, almost as old as Satan himself.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They are of very ancient origin, almost as old as Satan himself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
a game played with playing cards
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
diligentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/
quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
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 Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
FlorencenounUS /ˈflɔːrəns/
a city in central Italy on the Arno; provincial capital of Tuscany; center of the Italian Renaissance from 14th to 16th centuries
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading They are of very ancient origin, almost as old as Satan himself.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They are of very ancient origin, almost as old as Satan himself.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading They are of very ancient origin, almost as old as Satan himself.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading They are of very ancient origin, almost as old as Satan himself.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
SatannounUS /ˈseɪtən/
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading They are of very ancient origin, almost as old as Satan himself.
express in words
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
straight-lipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They are of very ancient origin, almost as old as Satan himself.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Often, too, she seemed to hear her say, “Cards, all playing cards, belong to the Devil.
unmixedadjectiveUS /ənˈmɪkst/
not mixed with extraneous elements
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
precisely as stated
From this reading Very early in life she had lived for some time with an aunt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Always now, as she closed her eyes, she could see that aunt, straight-lipped, diligent, at times friendly, but always holding close to what she believed was “duty.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading For Florence fortune telling had always held a certain fascination, not unmixed with fear.
