used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
being joined in close association
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
autocratnounUS /ˈɔːtəkræt/
a cruel and oppressive dictator
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
ayahnoun
(in India) a native nursemaid who looks after children
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She is—just for the time being, of course—inconsolable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
cockneynounUS /ˈkɑːkni/
a native of the east end of London
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading She is—just for the time being, of course—inconsolable.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading And her noisy grief—she’s of that irritating type—would disturb you.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She is—just for the time being, of course—inconsolable.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading And her noisy grief—she’s of that irritating type—would disturb you.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
inconsolableadjective
sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled
From this reading She is—just for the time being, of course—inconsolable.
indirectadjectiveUS /ˌɪndərˈekt/
having intervening factors or persons or influences
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
inestimableadjective
beyond calculation or measure
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
irritatingadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading And her noisy grief—she’s of that irritating type—would disturb you.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
and nothing more
From this reading She is—just for the time being, of course—inconsolable.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
muzzlenounUS /ˈmʌzəl/
the open circular discharging end of a gun
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
not any; not one
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading And her noisy grief—she’s of that irritating type—would disturb you.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
personallyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrsənəli/
as yourself
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
Rukh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She is—just for the time being, of course—inconsolable.
she's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And her noisy grief—she’s of that irritating type—would disturb you.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She is—just for the time being, of course—inconsolable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading And her noisy grief—she’s of that irritating type—would disturb you.
unavoidableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈvɔɪdəbəl/
impossible to avoid or evade
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
Watkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And too—she has learned—I regret it; but no autocrat can muzzle gossip, and such chatter flies in Rukh, and particularly fast in every palace, I think—she has learned how the inestimable, if sometimes indirect, Watkins came by his death.
well-trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
which person or people
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The woman who has waited on you had the bad taste to be greatly attached to her little—and, I must own, not one would think personally attractive—cockney husband.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I regret that I must offer you the services of a less well-trained ayah,” Rukh said, “but it is unavoidable.
