used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
(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 Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE GIRLS AT HOME.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
Cicely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading THE GIRLS AT HOME.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE GIRLS AT HOME.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
indulgeverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒ/
give free rein to
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
Mab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
a particular point in time
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
and nothing more
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
by chance
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
rapturenounUS /ˈræptʃər/
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
rectorynounUS /ˈrektəri/
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
releasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
an educational institution
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
stepmothernounUS /ˈstepmʌðər/
the wife of your father by a subsequent marriage
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
suppressedadjectiveUS /səˈprest/
kept from public knowledge by various means
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GIRLS AT HOME.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
precisely as stated
From this reading Their stepmother had been very kind, painfully kind; and anxious above measure that they should find everything as they had left it, and should not be disappointed or dull; but this very anxiety had made an end of all natural ease, and they had been glad when the moment came that released them.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
at the time that
From this reading When Cicely and Mab walked to the rectory together from the station a suppressed excitement was in their minds.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading We are so proud in England of having a word which means home, which some of our neighbours we are pleased to think have not, that, perhaps, it is a temptation to us to indulge in a general rapture over the word which has sometimes little foundation in reality.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Since they first left for school, they had only come back for a few days each year, and they had not liked it.
