used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
the state of being absent
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
not being in a specified place
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
matters of personal concern
From this reading But now, with Gore's return, the aspect of affairs had altered.
(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 During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading But now, with Gore's return, the aspect of affairs had altered.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now, with Gore's return, the aspect of affairs had altered.
make calm or still
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading She was forced to look circumstances in the face--forced to consider her position.
Clodagh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next morning Clodagh rose imbued with new decision.
deem to be
From this reading She was forced to look circumstances in the face--forced to consider her position.
countrywomen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading The next morning Clodagh rose imbued with new decision.
Deerehurst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
electedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektəd/
subject to popular election
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
divisible by two
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She was forced to look circumstances in the face--forced to consider her position.
fatallyadverbUS /ˈfeɪtəli/
with fatal consequences or implications
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading She was forced to look circumstances in the face--forced to consider her position.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
GoreverbUS /ɡɔːr/
wound by piercing with a sharp or penetrating object or instrument
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
Gore'snounUS /ɡɔːrz/
possessive form of “gore” — Vice President of the United States under Bill Clinton (born in 1948)
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
imbuedverbUS /ˌɪmˈbjuːd/
past form of “imbue” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading The next morning Clodagh rose imbued with new decision.
impersonaladjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrsənəl/
not relating to or responsive to individual persons
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was forced to look circumstances in the face--forced to consider her position.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She was forced to look circumstances in the face--forced to consider her position.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
come together
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The next morning Clodagh rose imbued with new decision.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The next morning Clodagh rose imbued with new decision.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next morning Clodagh rose imbued with new decision.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now, with Gore's return, the aspect of affairs had altered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading She was forced to look circumstances in the face--forced to consider her position.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading But now, with Gore's return, the aspect of affairs had altered.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The next morning Clodagh rose imbued with new decision.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
shelvingverbUS /ˈʃelvɪŋ/
-ing form of “shelve” — hold back to a later time
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next morning Clodagh rose imbued with new decision.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Gore was absent, it had seemed so easy to meet Deerehurst on the footing he elected to maintain--the footing of calm, reassuring friendship.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The next morning Clodagh rose imbued with new decision.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading During Gore's absence, things had worn a vague, even an impersonal aspect; for, like all her countrywomen, she possessed a fatally pleasant capacity for shelving the disagreeable.
