used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
for the reason that
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
bereavementnounUS /bərˈiːvmənt/
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
Boscobel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
Cecilia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
declinedverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnd/
past form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
at any time
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
apart from; not including
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
frocknounUS /frɑːk/
a long, loose outer garment
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
fussverbUS /fʌs/
worry unnecessarily or excessively
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
heroinenounUS /ˈheroʊən/
the main good female character in a work of fiction
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
invitationsnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
jade-greenadjective
of something having the color of jade; especially varying from bluish green to yellowish green
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
a female domestic
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
not any; not one
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
a human being
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
plumeverbUS /pluːm/
rip off; ask an unreasonable price
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
reverenceverbUS /ˈrevərəns/
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
cut with a saw
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
get rid of
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
carry out
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading She asked for no sympathy; so far as I ever saw, she shed no tears.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
having come into contact
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
treatingverbUS /ˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “treat” — interact in a certain way
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As the first person we knew to be touched by the strange new calamity of war, we made a kind of heroine of her, treating her with an almost romantic reverence; but she herself never seemed aware of it.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She put on a black frock and ordered her maid to take the jade-green plume out of a black hat; but, except that she declined invitations, she went about as usual.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was nothing to be done for Lady Cecilia because she took her bereavement with so little fuss.
Ypresnoun
battle in World War I (1917); an Allied offensive which eventually failed because tanks bogged down in the waterlogged soil of Flanders; Germans introduced mustard gas which interfered with the Allied artillery
From this reading If on that particular spot in the neighborhood of Ypres a man had had to fall for his country, she was proud that it had been a Boscobel.
