used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
acmenounUS /ˈækmi/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
admiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/
regarded with admiration
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
how long something has existed
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
Agnes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
(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 Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She looked younger as Lady Frogmore than she had done as Miss Hill.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
attainingverbUS /əˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “attain” — to gain with effort
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
belongsverbUS /bɪˈlɔːŋz/
third-person singular of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
dignifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪɡnəfaɪd/
having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading She looked younger as Lady Frogmore than she had done as Miss Hill.
put on clothes
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
elationnounUS /ɪˈleɪʃən/
an exhilarating psychological state of pride and optimism; an absence of depression
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
at any time
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
Frogmore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked younger as Lady Frogmore than she had done as Miss Hill.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
grandeurnounUS /ɡrænˈduːr/
the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading She looked younger as Lady Frogmore than she had done as Miss Hill.
honorsnounUS /ˈɑːnərz/
plural of “honor” — a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading She looked younger as Lady Frogmore than she had done as Miss Hill.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked younger as Lady Frogmore than she had done as Miss Hill.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
matronnounUS /ˈmeɪtrən/
a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading She looked younger as Lady Frogmore than she had done as Miss Hill.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
by chance
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
express in words
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
silksnounUS /sɪlks/
the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
suppliedverbUS /səˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
sweetlyadverbUS /ˈswiːtli/
in an affectionate or loving manner (“sweet” is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of “sweetly”)
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She looked younger as Lady Frogmore than she had done as Miss Hill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
a special situation
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
travelsnounUS /ˈtrævəlz/
plural of “travel” — the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
trousseaunoun
the personal outfit of a bride; clothes and accessories and linens
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
unwrinkledadjective
not wrinkled or creased
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
velvets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
vicaragenoun
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
wistfullyadverbUS /ˈwɪstfəli/
in a wistful manner
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Mrs. Hill herself had now a velvet dress, a thing to which she had looked wistfully all her life as the acme of woman grandeur without any hope of ever attaining it; and Agnes had been supplied with a little trousseau to enable her to pay in comfort her first visit to the Park.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The simple dresses, which were perhaps a little too simple for her age, had not become her so well as those she now wore, the rich silks and velvets which the ladies at the vicarage felt and pushed and admired with an elation of soul in regarding “Our Mary,” which it would be impossible to put into words.
but in spite of that
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Mary came back from her travels a most composed and dignified young matron, bearing her honors sweetly, yet with a mild consciousness of their importance.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading She looked younger as Lady Frogmore than she had done as Miss Hill.
youthfulnessnoun
the freshness and vitality characteristic of a young person
From this reading I say young, for though she was forty she had always preserved her slim youthfulness of aspect, and the unwrinkled brow which belongs to a gentle temper and contented soul.
