used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NEW ARRIVAL.
abbenounUS /ˈæbi/
a French abbot
From this reading The eccentric conduct of the versatile and too inflammable abbe completely mystified her.
abbessnoun
the superior of a group of nuns
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
(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 Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading A NEW ARRIVAL.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
bredverbUS /bred/
inflected form of “breed” — call forth
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
bridlenounUS /ˈbraɪdəl/
headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The eccentric conduct of the versatile and too inflammable abbe completely mystified her.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading The eccentric conduct of the versatile and too inflammable abbe completely mystified her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
dearly loved
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
decipherverbUS /dɪˈsaɪfər/
convert code into ordinary language
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
eccentricadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsentrɪk/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading The eccentric conduct of the versatile and too inflammable abbe completely mystified her.
an old word for “before”
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
the organ of sight
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
friezenounUS /friːz/
an architectural ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band between the architrave and the cornice
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
inflammableadjectiveUS /ɪnˈflæməbəl/
easily ignited
From this reading The eccentric conduct of the versatile and too inflammable abbe completely mystified her.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
legendnounUS /ˈledʒənd/
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
marquisenoun
a noblewoman ranking below a duchess and above a countess
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
miraculousadjectiveUS /mərˈækjələs/
being or having the character of a miracle
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
mystifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstəfaɪd/
totally perplexed and mixed up
From this reading The eccentric conduct of the versatile and too inflammable abbe completely mystified her.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A NEW ARRIVAL.
nichenounUS /nɪtʃ/
a position particularly well suited to the person who occupies it
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
odournounUS /ˈoʊdər/
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/
blessed with privileges
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
realisedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
rebuses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
reinverbUS /reɪn/
control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
sanctitynounUS /ˈsæŋktɪti/
the quality of being holy
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
sculpturedadjectiveUS /ˈskʌlptʃərd/
cut into a desired shape
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
simulacrumnoun
an insubstantial or vague semblance
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
suaveadjectiveUS /swɑːv/
having a sophisticated charm
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
sweetnessnounUS /ˈswiːtnəs/
the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The eccentric conduct of the versatile and too inflammable abbe completely mystified her.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
versatileadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrsətəl/
having great diversity or variety
From this reading The eccentric conduct of the versatile and too inflammable abbe completely mystified her.
virtuesnounUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːz/
plural of “virtue” — the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
which person or people
From this reading But she could not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could she decipher rebuses.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desire of the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and of colour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of the domestic virtues.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctity would have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and her carved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculptured frieze along with those of other privileged young ladies.
