used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
being joined in close association
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
attentionsnounUS /əˈtenʃənz/
plural of “attention” — the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading This woman occupied a little parlor and bedroom close to that in which Catharine slept.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
Catharine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading This woman occupied a little parlor and bedroom close to that in which Catharine slept.
complimentedverbUS /ˈkɑːmpləmentɪd/
past form of “compliment” — say something to someone that expresses praise
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
elegances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
home-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
inmatesnounUS /ˈɪnmeɪts/
plural of “inmate” — one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
insaneadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈseɪn/
afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
institutionnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/
an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
institutionsnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃənz/
plural of “institution” — an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
keepersnounUS /ˈkiːpərz/
plural of “keeper” — someone in charge of other people
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This woman occupied a little parlor and bedroom close to that in which Catharine slept.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
lovelinessnoun
the quality of being good looking and attractive
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
madhousenounUS /ˈmædhaʊs/
pejorative terms for an insane asylum
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
not any; not one
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
held or filled or in use
From this reading This woman occupied a little parlor and bedroom close to that in which Catharine slept.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
and nothing more
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading This woman occupied a little parlor and bedroom close to that in which Catharine slept.
a human being
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
refractoryadjectiveUS /rəˈfræktəri/
not responding to treatment
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
restraintnounUS /rɪˈstreɪnt/
the act of controlling by restraining someone or something
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
possessing material wealth
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading This woman occupied a little parlor and bedroom close to that in which Catharine slept.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
confined on all sides
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This woman occupied a little parlor and bedroom close to that in which Catharine slept.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
unfortunatesnounUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənəts/
plural of “unfortunate” — a person who suffers misfortune
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading She was under no visible restraint, for the inmates only recognized their keepers as servants, and felt complimented by their devoted attention.
warmlyadverbUS /ˈwɔːrmli/
in a hearty manner
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was one person in that institution to whom Catharine warmly attached herself at first sight.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had been a long time insane; sometimes in a madhouse, violent and refractory; sometimes in private institutions, always especially cared for, as the rich provide for their unfortunates; but never, until now, surrounded with home-like elegances, and attentions so delicate, that they did not seem to be watchful.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading She was a middle-aged woman, possessed of a wild sort of beauty, which might have been loveliness in youth, and was now wonderfully picturesque.
