used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
bell-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
without stop or interruption
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
deprecatingadjectiveUS /ˈdeprəkeɪtɪŋ/
tending to diminish or disparage
From this reading Mrs. Spragg murmured with deprecating pride.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Did you EVER, Mrs. Heeny?"
at any time
From this reading "Did you EVER, Mrs. Heeny?"
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
Heeny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Did you EVER, Mrs. Heeny?"
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
and nothing more
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
languidadjectiveUS /ˈlæŋɡwəd/
lacking spirit or liveliness
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
and nothing more
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
missivenounUS /ˈmɪsɪv/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Did you EVER, Mrs. Heeny?"
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading Mrs. Spragg murmured with deprecating pride.
a brief written record
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
prematurely-wrinkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading Mrs. Spragg murmured with deprecating pride.
protestnounUS /ˈproʊtest/
a formal and solemn declaration of objection
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
Spragg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading "I guess it's meant for me," she merely threw over her shoulder at her mother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
UndinenounUS /ˈʌndiːn/
any of various female water spirits
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
someone who visits
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
wailedverbUS /weɪld/
past form of “wail” — emit long loud cries
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/
inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Undine Spragg--how can you?" her mother wailed, raising a prematurely-wrinkled hand heavy with rings to defend the note which a languid "bell-boy" had just brought in.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading But her defence was as feeble as her protest, and she continued to smile on her visitor while Miss Spragg, with a turn of her quick young fingers, possessed herself of the missive and withdrew to the window to read it.
