used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading On the day following Sir Cyril Meres's luncheon-party she arrived in her usual fashion.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
Carus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
CyrilnounUS /ˈsɪrəl/
Greek missionary; the invention of the Cyrillic alphabet is attributed to him (826-869)
From this reading On the day following Sir Cyril Meres's luncheon-party she arrived in her usual fashion.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the day following Sir Cyril Meres's luncheon-party she arrived in her usual fashion.
dismissingverbUS /dɪˈsmɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “dismiss” — bar from attention or consideration
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
employingverbUS /emˈplɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “employ” — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On the day following Sir Cyril Meres's luncheon-party she arrived in her usual fashion.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading On the day following Sir Cyril Meres's luncheon-party she arrived in her usual fashion.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
at a previous time
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
an established custom
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
luncheon-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the day following Sir Cyril Meres's luncheon-party she arrived in her usual fashion.
Meres's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the day following Sir Cyril Meres's luncheon-party she arrived in her usual fashion.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
many times at short intervals
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the day following Sir Cyril Meres's luncheon-party she arrived in her usual fashion.
overcastnounUS /ˈoʊvərkæst/
the state of the sky when it is covered by clouds
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
parlor-maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
scientificadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
scientistnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪst/
a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
term of address for a man
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
Stewarts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
talentsnounUS /ˈtælənts/
plural of “talent” — natural abilities or qualities
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
thiefnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
Timson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But she preserved her habit of dismissing the parlor-maid at the door and creeping up to the drawing-room like a thief in the night.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading On the day following Sir Cyril Meres's luncheon-party she arrived in her usual fashion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
well-knownadjectiveUS /ˈwelˈnoʊn/
widely or fully known
From this reading Sir James Carus, the well-known scientist, had for some time been employing Miss Timson in the capacity of assistant, and spoke highly of her talents.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She began to have a reputation in scientific circles, and owing to her duties with Carus she could not come to the Stewarts' as often as she had formerly done.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The windows were shaded against the afternoon sun, but the sky was now overcast, and such a twilight reigned within that at first she could distinguish little, and the drawing-room seemed to her to be empty.
