adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
BlairnounUS /bler/
British statesman who became prime minister in 1997 (born in 1953)
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
cheerverbUS /tʃɪr/
give encouragement to
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
clutteredadjectiveUS /ˈklʌtərd/
filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
drawverbUS /drɔː/
cause to move by pulling
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
embroiderverbUS /ɪmˈbrɔɪdər/
decorate with needlework
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/
communicated in words
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
foolishadjectiveUS /ˈfuːlɪʃ/
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
frownedverbUS /fraʊnd/
past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading Nannie looked pale, she thought; and frowned slightly.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Nannie looked pale, she thought; and frowned slightly.
MaitlandnounUS /ˈmeɪtlənd/
English historian noted for his works on the history of English law (1850-1906)
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
Maitland's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
mealnounUS /miːl/
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
midstnounUS /mɪdst/
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
Nannie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
occurredverbUS /əˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
officenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
opinionnounUS /əˈpɪnjən/
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
paleadjectiveUS /peɪl/
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Nannie looked pale, she thought; and frowned slightly.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
picturesnounUS /ˈpɪktʃərz/
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
shabbier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
shamenounUS /ʃeɪm/
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nannie looked pale, she thought; and frowned slightly.
silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/
marked by absence of sound
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
sisternounUS /ˈsɪstər/
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
slightlyadverbUS /ˈslaɪtli/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Nannie looked pale, she thought; and frowned slightly.
stepdaughternounUS /ˈstepdɔːtər/
a daughter of your spouse by a former marriage
From this reading In the midst of the silent meal Sarah Maitland's eye fell on her stepdaughter, and hardened into attention.
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
suppernounUS /ˈsʌpər/
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Nannie looked pale, she thought; and frowned slightly.
tidies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What a life!" she said to herself; it was a shame Blair did not come in and cheer his sister up.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It occurred to her that the girl might be lonely in the long evenings over there in the parlor, with nothing to do but read foolish little stories, or draw foolish little pictures, or embroider foolish little tidies and things.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading Mrs. Maitland and Nannie were having their supper at the big, cluttered office table in the shabby dining-room--shabbier now by twenty years than when Blair first expressed his opinion of it.
