used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
for the reason that
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It certainly does change a woman to lose her husband.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading It certainly does change a woman to lose her husband.
choosingverbUS /ˈtʃuːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
clothing in general
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It certainly does change a woman to lose her husband.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
ex-modiste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
yet to be or coming
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
for this reason
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading It certainly does change a woman to lose her husband.
importedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtɪd/
used of especially merchandise brought from a foreign source
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
involveverbUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlv/
connect closely and often incriminatingly
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It certainly does change a woman to lose her husband.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
a room where books are kept
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading It certainly does change a woman to lose her husband.
magnificencenoun
splendid or imposing in size or appearance
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
a female domestic
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
matureadjectiveUS /məˈtʃʊr/
characteristic of maturity
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
in motion
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
practicingverbUS /ˈpræktəsɪŋ/
-ing form of “practice” — carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
toilettes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And Helen went home, let herself into her fine house, took off her things and sat down before the library fire.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was practicing dressing for the evening, because now she had a purpose and a future in view which some years hence might involve toilettes and magnificence.
which person or people
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She could hear this woman now moving about in the next room getting out her things.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
a late time of life
From this reading She really had imported a maid, an ex-modiste of mature years, who would be of service to her in the choosing of her clothes and dressing herself properly.
