used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
absorbverbUS /əbˈzɔːrb/
become imbued
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
annoyingadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
any thing at all
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
appalledadjectiveUS /əˈpɔːld/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
apparatusnounUS /ˌæpərˈætəs/
equipment designed to serve a specific function
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading She regretted the strenuous days of labor that meant something.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
eludedverbUS /ɪˈluːdɪd/
past form of “elude” — escape, either physically or mentally
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
a young female
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
helpernounUS /ˈhelpər/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading She regretted the strenuous days of labor that meant something.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
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 Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
luredverbUS /lʊrd/
past form of “lure” — provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
manufacturedadjectiveUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃərd/
produced in a large-scale industrial operation
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading She regretted the strenuous days of labor that meant something.
modelsnounUS /ˈmɑːdəlz/
plural of “model” — a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
not divisible by two
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
a human being
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
a light shade of red
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
compacted by ironing
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading She regretted the strenuous days of labor that meant something.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
savorverbUS /ˈseɪvər/
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
try to get or reach
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
self-forgetfuladjective
showing lack of self-interest
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
strenuousadjectiveUS /ˈstrenjuːəs/
characterized by or performed with much energy or force
From this reading She regretted the strenuous days of labor that meant something.
submissionnounUS /səbˈmɪʃən/
something (manuscripts or architectural plans and models or estimates or works of art of all genres etc.) submitted for the judgment of others (as in a competition)
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She regretted the strenuous days of labor that meant something.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/
not necessary
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
unrealitynounUS /ˌʌnriˈæləti/
the quality possessed by something that is unreal
From this reading The stern, sweet helper eluded her, the unreality of manufactured, unnecessary activity appalled her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Taking herself to task for a weak submission to circumstance, she fitted up a large room at the top of the house with artistic apparatus; nice models were easily lured from the village; she told herself that art at least remained, and tried to absorb herself in her painting; but the savor of keen interest was gone; the pink cheeks and staring eyes of her village girl were annoying.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading By the end of June, returning physical strength gave Hilda the wish to seek self-forgetful effort of some kind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She tried to busy herself with something--with anything--and experienced the odd sensation of a person upon whom duty has always pressed and crowded, in a futile search for duty.
