used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
(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 As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Women who are plain sometimes do not realise their plainness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
intentionally conceived
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
daresay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I daresay that is true.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Women who are plain sometimes do not realise their plainness.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Long familiarity with the fact had hardened me.
familiaritynounUS /fəˌmɪˈljerəti/
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading Long familiarity with the fact had hardened me.
feminineadjectiveUS /ˈfemənən/
associated with women and not with men
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Long familiarity with the fact had hardened me.
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading Long familiarity with the fact had hardened me.
hideouslyadverbUS /ˈhɪdiəsli/
in a hideous manner
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
immediately past
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
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 Long familiarity with the fact had hardened me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Long familiarity with the fact had hardened me.
not any; not one
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
physicallyadverbUS /ˈfɪzɪkəli/
in accord with physical laws
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Women who are plain sometimes do not realise their plainness.
plainnessnoun
the state of being unmixed with other material
From this reading Women who are plain sometimes do not realise their plainness.
prepossessingadjective
creating a favorable impression
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading Women who are plain sometimes do not realise their plainness.
reconciledadjectiveUS /ˈrekənsaɪld/
made compatible or consistent
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Women who are plain sometimes do not realise their plainness.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
carry out
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Women who are plain sometimes do not realise their plainness.
a special situation
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I take it that no feminine thing becomes completely reconciled to the accident that she is not physically prepossessing.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading I daresay that is true.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
which person or people
From this reading Women who are plain sometimes do not realise their plainness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Long familiarity with the fact had hardened me.
womanhoodnounUS /ˈwʊmənhʊd/
the state of being an adult woman
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Women who are plain sometimes do not realise their plainness.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading As I went down the stairs, dressed--if you could call it dressed--at last, how hideously conscious I was that I presented a spectacle of all that was least desirable in womanhood.
