used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading What was to follow its absolute completion, neither of them could tell.
(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 For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN EVIL OMEN.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
any thing at all
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
completionnounUS /kəmˈpliːʃən/
(American football) a successful forward pass in football
From this reading What was to follow its absolute completion, neither of them could tell.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What was to follow its absolute completion, neither of them could tell.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
easelnounUS /ˈiːzəl/
an upright tripod for displaying something (usually an artist's canvas)
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading AN EVIL OMEN.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
Florimel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading What was to follow its absolute completion, neither of them could tell.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
immediately past
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
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 Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
lingeringnounUS /ˈlɪŋɡərɪŋ/
the act of tarrying
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
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 Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading What was to follow its absolute completion, neither of them could tell.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
OMENnounUS /ˈoʊmən/
a sign of something about to happen
From this reading AN EVIL OMEN.
make a painting
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
shieldnounUS /ʃiːld/
a protective covering or structure
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
in or at or to some place
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
studionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/
workplace for the teaching or practice of an art
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
express in words
From this reading What was to follow its absolute completion, neither of them could tell.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading What was to follow its absolute completion, neither of them could tell.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Florimel was beginning to understand that the shield of the portrait was not large enough to cover many more visits to the studio.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was to follow its absolute completion, neither of them could tell.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Still she must and would venture; and should anything be said, there at least was the portrait.
but in spite of that
From this reading For some weeks it had been all but finished, was never off its easel, and always showed a touch of wet paint somewhere--he kept the last of it lingering, ready to prove itself almost yet not altogether finished.
