adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
addressedadjectiveUS /əˈdrest/
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
anxietiesnounUS /æŋˈzaɪətiz/
plural of “anxiety” — (psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
anyonepronounUS /ˈeniwʌn/
any person at all
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
AuntnounUS /ænt/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
BesetverbUS /bɪˈset/
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
betrayedverbUS /bɪˈtreɪd/
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
Blanche
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
chairnounUS /tʃer/
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
changeverbUS /tʃeɪndʒ/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
conversationnounUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃən/
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
dependentadjectiveUS /dɪˈpendənt/
relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
drewnounUS /druː/
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
examplenounUS /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
failedverbUS /feɪld/
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
fearsnounUS /fɪrz/
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
gradualadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːəl/
proceeding in small stages
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
humbleadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmbəl/
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
independencenounUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/
freedom from control or influence of another or others
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
mannernounUS /ˈmænər/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
MedeanounUS /məˈdiːə/
(Greek mythology) a princess of Colchis who aided Jason in taking the Golden Fleece from her father
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
modestlyadverbUS /ˈmɑːdəstli/
with modesty; in a modest manner
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
numberlessadjective
too numerous to be counted
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
occasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
resignedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪnd/
past form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
ringverbUS /rɪŋ/
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
servileadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrvəl/
submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading For example, though the poor dependent still retained her humble, resigned manner; she had lost, little by little, the servile fear that had showed itself in her every movement.
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
trembledverbUS /ˈtrembəld/
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
triflesnounUS /ˈtraɪfəlz/
plural of “trifle” — a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
trueadjectiveUS /truː/
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The change, it is true, had been gradual; it had not struck the servants, but it was none the less positive and real, and it betrayed itself in numberless trifles.
visitorsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtərz/
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Beset by a thousand fears and anxieties, Blanche had failed to notice that Aunt Medea was no longer the same.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If visitors were present, she no longer kept herself modestly in the background, but drew forward her chair and took part in the conversation.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading She no longer trembled when anyone addressed her, and there was occasionally a ring of independence in her voice.
