used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
affectverbUS /əˈfekt/
have an effect upon
From this reading The circumstance certainly did not affect her.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
at-home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The circumstance certainly did not affect her.
characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/
plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading The circumstance certainly did not affect her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
crinkledadjective
uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The circumstance certainly did not affect her.
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 It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
eranounUS /ˈerə/
a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
excelledverbUS /ɪkˈseld/
inflected form of “excel” — distinguish oneself
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
fifty-fiveadjective
being five more than fifty
From this reading She was a woman who supported well her fifty-five years.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
flatteredverbUS /ˈflætərd/
past form of “flatter” — praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
humornounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
indulgeverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒ/
give free rein to
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
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 That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
life'snounUS /laɪfs/
possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
held dear
From this reading That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
lunchedverbUS /lʌntʃt/
past form of “lunch” — take the midday meal
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
maliciousadjectiveUS /məˈlɪʃəs/
having the nature of or resulting from malice
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
Marquisenoun
a noblewoman ranking below a duchess and above a countess
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
portlyadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrtli/
euphemisms for “fat”
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
on the contrary
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
suggestingverbUS /səˈdʒestɪŋ/
-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading She was a woman who supported well her fifty-five years.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
tête-à-tête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
vanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading That she was more feared than loved probably flattered the vanity which was not the least of her characteristics.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading She was a woman who supported well her fifty-five years.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
which person or people
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
Wilmot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
Wilmot's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was Lady Wilmot’s at-home day, but so early in the afternoon that she could still indulge in the _tête-à-tête_ gossip with the friend who had lunched with her, a branch of her life’s occupation in which she excelled.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was a woman who supported well her fifty-five years.
a late time of life
From this reading She was a woman who supported well her fifty-five years.
à
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A little portly, her gray crinkled hair arranged _à la Marquise_, her ample skirts further suggesting the era of powder and patches, her bright eyes full of rather malicious humor, Lady Wilmot was a somewhat striking figure.
