used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
actuatedadjective
moved to action
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
classicnounUS /ˈklæsɪk/
a creation of the highest excellence
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
condoled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
conjuredverbUS /ˈkɑːndʒərd/
past form of “conjure” — summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
wanted intensely
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
true confidential information
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
a social unit living together
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
death of a person
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
horrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrəfaɪd/
stricken with horror
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
LillenounUS /lɪl/
an industrial city in northern France near the Belgian border; was the medieval capital of Flanders
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
engage in
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
misdoing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
on one occasion
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
by chance
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
pietynounUS /ˈpaɪəti/
righteousness by virtue of being pious
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
quartier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
past form of “rejoin” — join again
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
sanctitynounUS /ˈsæŋktɪti/
the quality of being holy
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
showman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
carry out
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
ValentinenounUS /ˈvæləntaɪn/
a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading It seemed as if she must once more look at Lille from her mother's point of view and maintain the sanctity of private life against the curiosity or criticism of neighbors.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
vividlyadverbUS /ˈvɪvədli/
in a vivid manner
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
at the time that
From this reading When she once more landed on French soil, Sylvia, actuated by a classic piety, desired to visit her mother's grave.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading She did not wish to hear the details of her father's misdoing or perhaps be condoled with over Valentine.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The sight of the old house and the faces of some of the older women in the _quartier_ conjured up the past so vividly for Sylvia that she could not bring herself to make any inquiries about the rest of her family.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She would have preferred to go to Lille by herself, for she lacked the showman's instinct; but her companions were so horrified at the notion of being left to themselves in Paris until she rejoined them, that in the end she had to take them with her.
