used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she had never given the slightest detail.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading But she had never given the slightest detail.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
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 This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
at any time
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading But she had never given the slightest detail.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She did not like speaking of her husband who had, she said, perished in a shipwreck.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
incessantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsesəntli/
with unflagging resolve
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
plural of “jewel” — a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewelry
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
joined in matrimony
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
milk-woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But she had never given the slightest detail.
night-cap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
not any; not one
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She did not like speaking of her husband who had, she said, perished in a shipwreck.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
perishedverbUS /ˈperɪʃt/
past form of “perish” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading She did not like speaking of her husband who had, she said, perished in a shipwreck.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
recurredverbUS /riˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “recur” — happen or occur again
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
ribbonsnounUS /ˈrɪbənz/
plural of “ribbon” — any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She did not like speaking of her husband who had, she said, perished in a shipwreck.
a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
shipwrecknounUS /ˈʃɪprek/
a wrecked ship (or a part of one)
From this reading She did not like speaking of her husband who had, she said, perished in a shipwreck.
showyadjectiveUS /ˈʃoʊi/
marked by ostentation but often tasteless
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading But she had never given the slightest detail.
smartlyadverbUS /ˈsmɑːrtli/
in a clever manner
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading She did not like speaking of her husband who had, she said, perished in a shipwreck.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
precisely as stated
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
which person or people
From this reading She did not like speaking of her husband who had, she said, perished in a shipwreck.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without doubt she had lived on the coast, for ships and the sea recurred incessantly in her conversation.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading On one particular occasion she had remarked, in presence of the milk-woman and three other persons, “No woman was ever more miserable than I during my married life.”
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading This night-cap did not prevent her dressing very smartly during the day; indeed, she ordinarily wore very handsome dresses, very showy ribbons in her caps, and covered herself with jewels like a saint in a chapel.
