used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
afternoon'snounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/
possessive form of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
arrangementsnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənts/
plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
the two together, not just one
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
clothing in general
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
declaringverbUS /dɪˈklerɪŋ/
-ing form of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrest/
facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
elderlyadjectiveUS /ˈeldərli/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
engagingadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/
attracting or delighting
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
usually; as a rule
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
Gretchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
HansnounUS /hɑːns/
plural of “han” — imperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time from 206 BC to AD 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of Chinese civilization
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
of great significance or value
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
lectureverbUS /ˈlektʃər/
deliver a lecture or talk
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
Lottchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
Marie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
Nessa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
Nessa's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
offendedadjectiveUS /əˈfendəd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
RosanounUS /ˈroʊzə/
large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
SPIESnounUS /spaɪz/
plural of “spy” — (military) a secret agent hired by a state to obtain information about its enemies or by a business to obtain industrial secrets from competitors
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
treatmentnounUS /ˈtriːtmənt/
care provided to improve a situation (especially medical procedures or applications that are intended to relieve illness or injury)
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading ABOUT SPIES Nessa's treatment of me both offended and distressed the Countess, and Rosa tried to draw her attention away from it by engaging her in a discussion about the afternoon's arrangements.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
precisely as stated
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Then there will be an empty house," declared Rosa as we rose from the table.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It appeared that the Countess always spent an hour or two on that particular day with a very old friend, an invalid; Rosa herself had an engagement; Hans had to attend some lecture or other in connection with his military studies; and Nessa generally took Lottchen for a drive.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I would not hear of the arrangements being altered on my account, declaring that I should be glad of the opportunity to get some decent clothes.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading There were two servants--an elderly woman, named Gretchen, and Marie, a younger one--in the room during the discussion; an important fact in the light of after events.
