used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
AbelnounUS /ˈeɪbəl/
Norwegian mathematician (1802-1829)
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
adaptverbUS /əˈdæpt/
make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
brought into existence
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
breatheverbUS /briːð/
draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
carpetsnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəts/
plural of “carpet” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
combinationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “combination” — a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
death-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE WEST END.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
fastidiousadjectiveUS /fæˈstɪdiəs/
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
Fordyce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
set up or found
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
Gladys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
GrahamnounUS /ˈɡreɪəm/
United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
lawyer'snounUS /ˈlɔːjərz/
possessive form of “lawyer” — a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
MinanounUS /ˈmiːnə/
tropical Asian starlings
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
as might be expected
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
and nothing more
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
refinedadjectiveUS /rəˈfaɪnd/
(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Now Gladys had her opportunity of seeing the beautiful side of life.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
strikinglyadverbUS /ˈstraɪkɪŋli/
in a striking manner
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
sumptuousadjectiveUS /ˈsʌmptʃwəs/
ostentatiously rich and superior in quality
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
sweetenedadjectiveUS /ˈswiːtənd/
with sweetening added
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Her taste being naturally refined and fastidious, found a peculiar satisfaction in the beauty of her surroundings.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WEST END.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
treasuresnounUS /ˈtreʒərz/
plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE WEST END.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Never had she more strikingly betrayed her special gift, of which Abel Graham had spoken on his death-bed, 'ability to adapt herself to any surroundings;' she seemed, indeed, as Mina Fordyce had said, 'to the manner born.'
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a very real pleasure to her to tread upon soft carpets, breathe a pure air, only sweetened by the breath of flowers, and to rest her eyes with delicate combinations of colour and the treasures of art to be found in the lawyer's sumptuous house.
