used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
adorableadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrəbəl/
lovable especially in a childlike or naive way
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
(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 The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
betrayingverbUS /bɪˈtreɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
bud-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
pleasing or delighting
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
contournounUS /ˈkɑːntʊr/
a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
delicacynounUS /ˈdeləkəsi/
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
distinguishesverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪz/
third-person singular of “distinguish” — mark as different
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
embarrassmentnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənt/
the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
at any time
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
exquisitelyadverbUS /ˌekˈskwɪzɪtli/
in a delicate manner
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
frolicsomeadjective
given to merry frolicking
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
a young female
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
girlhood's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
gracefulnessnoun
beautiful carriage
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
healthyadjectiveUS /ˈhelθi/
having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
hesitancynounUS /ˈhezɪtənsi/
a feeling of diffidence and indecision about doing something
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
Miette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
on one occasion
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
an amount of time
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
retainingverbUS /rɪˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “retain” — hold back within
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
sallowadjective
unhealthy looking
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
activities associated with sexual intercourse
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
shootsnounUS /ʃuːts/
plural of “shoot” — a new branch
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
slimnessnoun
a small margin
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading At that stage of life a bud-like delicacy, a hesitancy of contour that is exquisitely charming, distinguishes young girls.
not in physical motion
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
unpropitiousadjective
not propitious
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
precisely as stated
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
at the time that
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For those, however, who, like Miette, are healthy and live in the open air, it is a time of delightful gracefulness which once passed can never be recalled.
which person or people
From this reading This period is very unpropitious for some girls, who suddenly shoot up, become ugly, sallow and frail, like plants before their due season.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
womanhoodnounUS /ˈwʊmənhʊd/
the state of being an adult woman
From this reading The outlines of womanhood appear amidst girlhood’s innocent slimness, and woman shoots forth at first all embarrassment, still retaining much of the child, and ever and unconsciously betraying her sex.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading She had reached that adorable, uncertain hour when the frolicsome girl changes to a young woman.
