used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
react verbally
From this reading “Wait, Madame, until you see them,” was Fifi’s diplomatic answer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
Bourcet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
canarynounUS /kəˈneri/
someone acting as an informer or decoy for the police
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
demureadjectiveUS /dɪˈmjʊr/
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
diplomaticadjectiveUS /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk/
relating to or characteristic of diplomacy
From this reading “Wait, Madame, until you see them,” was Fifi’s diplomatic answer.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
expenditurenounUS /ɪkˈspendətʃər/
money paid out; an amount spent
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
Fifi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
Fifi's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Wait, Madame, until you see them,” was Fifi’s diplomatic answer.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
francsnounUS /fræŋks/
plural of “franc” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 centimes
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
a sacred place of pilgrimage
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
ten 10s
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
IMPRUDENTadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːdənt/
not prudent or wise
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
nursingnounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/
the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
a light shade of red
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
presentationnounUS /ˌprezənˈteɪʃən/
the activity of formally presenting something (as a prize or reward)
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
presumedverbUS /prəˈzuːmd/
past form of “presume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
purchasesnounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəsəz/
plural of “purchase” — the acquisition of something for payment
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
rheumatismnounUS /ˈruːmətɪzəm/
any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
express in words
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “Wait, Madame, until you see them,” was Fifi’s diplomatic answer.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
snuff-colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
spangledadjectiveUS /ˈspæŋɡəld/
covered with beads or jewels or sequins
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
not in physical motion
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
substantialadjectiveUS /səbˈstænʃəl/
of considerable importance, size, or worth
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
a quantity of money
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Wait, Madame, until you see them,” was Fifi’s diplomatic answer.
a special situation
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
trousseaunoun
the personal outfit of a bride; clothes and accessories and linens
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading “Wait, Madame, until you see them,” was Fifi’s diplomatic answer.
visionsnounUS /ˈvɪʒənz/
plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading “Wait, Madame, until you see them,” was Fifi’s diplomatic answer.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
warningly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
warrantedverbUS /ˈwɔːrəntɪd/
past form of “warrant” — provide adequate grounds to justify (a certain course of action)
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She mentioned casually that she had bought a few things for her trousseau, and Madame Bourcet presumed that the sum total of expenditure was something like a hundred francs.
be dressed in
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
at the time that
From this reading A MOST IMPRUDENT THING Madame Bourcet sat in the snuff-colored drawing-room, nursing her rheumatism, when in walked Fifi as demure as the cat after it has eaten the canary.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
in the company of; together with
From this reading Still, with visions of the pink spangled gown which Fifi wished to buy for her presentation to the Holy Father, Madame Bourcet thought it well to say, warningly:
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Wait, Madame, until you see them,” was Fifi’s diplomatic answer.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I hope your purchases were of a sober and substantial character, warranted to wear well, and in quiet colors.”
