used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
amendverbUS /əˈmend/
make amendments to
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
have
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And now the day of misfortune had come, and she was not ready for it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FINANCIAL PLANS Dorothy felt it the most.
earnverbUS /ɜːrn/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
a social unit living together
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading FINANCIAL PLANS Dorothy felt it the most.
FINANCIALadjectiveUS /fəˈnænʃəl/
involving financial matters
From this reading FINANCIAL PLANS Dorothy felt it the most.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/
plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
a young female
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
highest in quality
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading FINANCIAL PLANS Dorothy felt it the most.
and nothing more
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
misfortunenounUS /mɪˈsfɔːrtʃən/
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
used to form the superlative
From this reading FINANCIAL PLANS Dorothy felt it the most.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now the day of misfortune had come, and she was not ready for it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
many times at short intervals
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading FINANCIAL PLANS Dorothy felt it the most.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
on the contrary
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading And now the day of misfortune had come, and she was not ready for it.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
sellingnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FINANCIAL PLANS Dorothy felt it the most.
a special situation
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading She could not bear to think of selling the town house; she would far rather sell the hotel, but that, it seemed, was out of the question.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
usefulnessnounUS /ˈjuːsfəlnəs/
the quality of being of practical use
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And now the day of misfortune had come, and she was not ready for it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading As the oldest, she had the greatest sense of responsibility, and she felt that she ought in some way to amend the family fortunes, but just how she did not know.
(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 well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She well knew how difficult it is for a girl to earn any money without being especially trained in some branch of usefulness; and she had often thought that she would learn some one thing well, and so be prepared against a day of misfortune.
