used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
Agnes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
(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 There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading However, in her later development many new faculties had appeared in Agnes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
clergyman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
a female human offspring
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading However, in her later development many new faculties had appeared in Agnes.
feelings of ardent love
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading However, in her later development many new faculties had appeared in Agnes.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, in her later development many new faculties had appeared in Agnes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading However, in her later development many new faculties had appeared in Agnes.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading However, in her later development many new faculties had appeared in Agnes.
MarverbUS /mɑːr/
make imperfect
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
maternitynounUS /məˈtɜːrnɪti/
the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
a particular point in time
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading However, in her later development many new faculties had appeared in Agnes.
not any; not one
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
parishnounUS /ˈpærɪʃ/
a local church community
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
unusual or striking
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
respondverbUS /rɪˈspɑːnd/
show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been nothing at all remarkable about Miss Hill in the former portion of her life.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
unmarriedadjectiveUS /ənˈmerid/
not married or related to the unmarried state
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Agnes Hill had given herself entirely up to her sister in these latter days.
precisely as stated
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
which person or people
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
belonging to which person
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had never been so attractive as Mary, or so sweet: a good clergyman’s daughter--very thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the parish, and ready at any moment to respond to the call of those who were in need--but no more.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She had become a mother to little Mar; a mother with all the devotion of maternity, but with something of the reason of the unmarried woman, whose instinct it is to keep in the background and not to show her feelings.
