used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
in the past
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
a cherished desire
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
aspirationsnounUS /ˌæspərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
Burdon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
consummationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈmeɪʃən/
the completion of marriage by sexual intercourse
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
conveyedverbUS /kənˈveɪd/
past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
countingnounUS /ˈkaʊntɪŋ/
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
Dora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
Espart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
estimatedverbUS /ˈestəmeɪtəd/
past form of “estimate” — judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
formulatedadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmjəleɪtəd/
devised; developed according to an orderly plan
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
hillsidenounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪd/
the side or slope of a hill
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
PROMISESnounUS /ˈprɑːməsəz/
plural of “promise” — a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
prospectsnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/
plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
reckonedverbUS /ˈrekənd/
past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
action taken in return for an injury or offense
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
uttered with a trill
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
RollonounUS /ˈrɑːloʊ/
Norse chieftain who became the first duke of Normandy (860-931)
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
cut with a saw
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Aunt Maggie saw the hour of her revenge approaching so that its years might now be estimated on the fingers of one hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
ultimateadjectiveUS /ˈʌltəmət/
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
precisely as stated
From this reading Lady Burdon reckoned the union as very desirable and gave its consummation a first place among her aspirations for her Rollo.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The years were rolling up--curtain by curtain, like mists from a distant hillside; and behind them the ultimate prospects for which Lady Burdon waited, Mrs. Espart waited, and Aunt Maggie waited began to be revealed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Espart had conveyed to Lady Burdon her ambition--formulated long ago--with regard to Dora and Rollo.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
a late time of life
From this reading PLANS AND DREAMS AND PROMISES I Three women were counting the years now.
