used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
advantageouslyadverb
in a manner affording benefit or advantage
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
anew
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
artisticadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/
relating to or characteristic of art or artists
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I could not but feel how nice they looked.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not but feel how nice they looked.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
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 It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading I could not but feel how nice they looked.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not but feel how nice they looked.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I could not but feel how nice they looked.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
inveighverb
complain bitterly
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
and nothing more
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I could not but feel how nice they looked.
roused to anger
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading I could not but feel how nice they looked.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not but feel how nice they looked.
many times at short intervals
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
quarter-of-an-hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I could not but feel how nice they looked.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
tittivationnoun
sprucing up; making decorative additions to
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
touchesnounUS /ˈtʌtʃəz/
plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
precisely as stated
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not for the first time, by any means, it was a comfort to think that they were my sisters.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is just those little delicate touches which require care and thought, and cannot be hurried over, which complete the picture.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading It is all very well to inveigh against the tremendous time a woman takes in dressing--and I am quite willing to admit that, over and over again, the girls have as nearly as possible driven me mad!--but if she wants to look her best, she has to.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading After one is completely dressed, one can often advantageously spend another quarter-of-an-hour or twenty minutes in artistic tittivation; and sometimes the result is worth it.
