inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
(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 They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
allayverbUS /əˈleɪ/
lessen the intensity of or calm
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
anglesnounUS /ˈæŋɡəlz/
plural of “angle” — the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
Anna'snounUS /ˈænəz/
possessive form of “anna” — a former copper coin of Pakistan and India
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She felt sure that either she or the woman had been dreaming.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading She felt sure that either she or the woman had been dreaming.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
one or the other of two
From this reading She felt sure that either she or the woman had been dreaming.
explanationsnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “explanation” — a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She felt sure that either she or the woman had been dreaming.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
McCreedy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She felt sure that either she or the woman had been dreaming.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
done under pressure
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She felt sure that either she or the woman had been dreaming.
not in physical motion
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading She felt sure that either she or the woman had been dreaming.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She felt sure that either she or the woman had been dreaming.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading They tried to allay their curiosity by discussing the affair from all possible angles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Although most of the girls put in an early appearance in the dining-room, they were disappointed to find that Mrs. McCreedy was still in bed.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The previous night the occurrence had appeared wild, but plausible; now, in the clear morning light, it seemed absurd.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE MYSTERY Marjorie hurried with her dressing and rushed downstairs on Sunday morning, eager to hear the explanations of Anna’s aunt.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She felt sure that either she or the woman had been dreaming.
