used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
CaddynounUS /ˈkædi/
a can for storing tea
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
cleanlinessnounUS /ˈklenlinɪs/
the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
consequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
decorationnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃən/
something used to beautify
From this reading Caddy, whilst superintending its decoration, felt herself in Elysium.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
disposalnounUS /dɪˈspoʊzəl/
the power to use something or someone
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
EllisnounUS /ˈelɪs/
plural of “elli” — (Norse mythology) goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match
From this reading Trouble in the Ellis Family.
ElysiumnounUS /ɪˈlɪziəm/
a place or condition of ideal happiness
From this reading Caddy, whilst superintending its decoration, felt herself in Elysium.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
a social unit living together
From this reading Trouble in the Ellis Family.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Caddy, whilst superintending its decoration, felt herself in Elysium.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
fondlyadverbUS /ˈfɑːndli/
with fondness; with love
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
Garie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Caddy, whilst superintending its decoration, felt herself in Elysium.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
house-cleaners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Trouble in the Ellis Family.
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Caddy, whilst superintending its decoration, felt herself in Elysium.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
miraclesnounUS /ˈmɪrəkəlz/
plural of “miracle” — any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
newly-scrubbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
make a painting
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
receiptnounUS /rɪˈsiːt/
the act of receiving
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
smearsnounUS /smɪrz/
plural of “smear” — slanderous defamation
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
that is looked for
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
streaksnounUS /striːks/
plural of “streak” — an unbroken series of events
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
sundryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌndri/
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
superintending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caddy, whilst superintending its decoration, felt herself in Elysium.
supremeadjectiveUS /səˈpriːm/
final or last in your life or progress
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Trouble in the Ellis Family.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Since the receipt of Mr. Garie's letter, Mrs. Ellis and Caddy had been busily engaged in putting the house in a state of preparation for their reception.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Trouble in the Ellis Family.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
unparalleledadjectiveUS /ənˈperəleld/
radically distinctive and without equal
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Caddy, whilst superintending its decoration, felt herself in Elysium.
whitewashnounUS /ˈwaɪtwɑːʃ/
a defeat in which the losing person or team fails to score
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading She sought for and discovered on the windows (which they had fondly regarded as miracles of cleanliness) sundry streaks and smears, and detected infinite small spots of paint and whitewash on the newly-scrubbed floors.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading For the first time in her life she had the supreme satisfaction of having two unfortunate house-cleaners entirely at her disposal; consequently, she drove them about and worried them to an extent unparalleled in any of their former experience.
