used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
agitatedadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪd/
troubled emotionally and usually deeply
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
attributedverbUS /əˈtrɪbjətɪd/
past form of “attribute” — attribute or credit to
From this reading The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
billetnounUS /ˈbɪlət/
a short personal letter
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
a person who is in charge
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
decisiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
determining or having the power to determine an outcome
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
dispatchedverbUS /dɪˈspætʃt/
past form of “dispatch” — send away towards a designated goal
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
take in solid food
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
fasteningnounUS /ˈfæsənɪŋ/
restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
firmnessnounUS /ˈfɜːrmnəs/
the muscle tone of healthy tissue
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
FountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
inevitablyadverbUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbli/
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
inventedverbUS /ˌɪnˈventəd/
past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
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 The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
go away from a place
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
the force of workers available
From this reading The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
a person who carries a message
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
not any; not one
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
ragoutnoun
well-seasoned stew of meat and vegetables
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
carry out
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As no decisive explanation of any kind occurred, he was permitted to take leave of the princess.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
at the time that
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
a Caucasian
From this reading The queen was in despair, and dispatched a billet to the Fairy of the Fountain, fastening it to the tail of a little white mouse, which served as a messenger on this occasion; it was perfectly acquainted with the way, and in a few minutes the fairy arrived at the palace.
which person or people
From this reading The men attributed this to hatred; but the ladies, who knew better, pronounced it love.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This he did with much firmness; while she appeared so much agitated, that it was remarked by all the court.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were convinced of the fact, when day by day she began to pine and refused to eat; and had not the chief cook every day invented some new ragout, she would inevitably have died of hunger.
