used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
react verbally
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
eagerly desirous
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
apprehensiveadjectiveUS /ˌæprɪˈhensɪv/
quick to understand
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
attractionnounUS /əˈtrækʃən/
the force by which one object attracts another
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
Aylwin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
declare untrue; contradict
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
the organ of sight
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
set up or found
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
a young female
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
hasteningverbUS /ˈheɪsənɪŋ/
-ing form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
not in action or at work
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
intimacynounUS /ˈɪntəməsi/
close or warm friendship
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
orchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/
garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
outrunverbUS /aʊˈtrʌn/
run faster than
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
Oxted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
Oxted's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
sluice-gates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
speedingnounUS /ˈspiːdɪŋ/
changing location rapidly
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
moving very fast
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
swiftnessnounUS /ˈswɪftnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
express in words
From this reading Already it would have been far better that, if the girl was to know the name her mother had refused to tell her, she should have known it on the night of her arrival.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
VAIL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL It was the day following Lady Oxted's return to London from the Sunday in the country that she received the expected letter from Mrs. Aylwin, in answer to her own.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But these things were past prayer, and Lady Oxted drew the sheet of paper from its envelope and found, at any rate, that the communication was short.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Already it was plain to her with how swift and strong a movement, as of flood water hastening toward sluice-gates, the first attraction between the two was speeding into intimacy; and had she known what had passed between them in the orchard, she would have guessed that its swiftness had outrun her eye.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The opening of it, it would be idle to deny, was made with an anxious and apprehensive hand.
