used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
any thing at all
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
aristocratic-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
awenounUS /ɑː/
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was nothing.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
coldnessnounUS /ˈkoʊldnəs/
the sensation produced by low temperatures
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
confirmverbUS /kənˈfɜːrm/
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
contradictverbUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkt/
be in contradiction with
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
dearly loved
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
yet to be or coming
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
Gertrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
imprintedverbUS /ˌɪmˈprɪntɪd/
past form of “imprint” — establish or impress firmly in the mind
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
being of such surpassing excellence as to suggest inspiration by the gods
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
come together
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
mother-in-law's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
Nan'snounUS /nænz/
possessive form of “nan” — your grandmother
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
easily agitated
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But there was nothing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
placateverbUS /ˈpleɪkeɪt/
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
RELATIONS-IN-LAW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
repressiveadjectiveUS /riˈpresɪv/
restrictive of action
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
sensitivelyadverbUS /ˈsensɪtɪvli/
in a sensitive manner
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
shrankverbUS /ʃræŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
Trenby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
precisely as stated
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nan shrank sensitively, and glanced upward to see if there were anything in her future mother-in-law's face which might serve to contradict the coldness of her greeting.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was a tall woman, thin and aristocratic-looking, with a repressive manner that inspired her domestic staff with awe and her acquaintances with a nervous anxiety to placate her.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The frosty voice entirely failed to confirm the sense of the words as Lady Gertrude Trenby bent forward and imprinted a somewhat chilly kiss on Nan's cheek.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading RELATIONS-IN-LAW "I am very glad to meet you, my dear."
