used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Very well, Miss Ogden,” and the trim maid departed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
AtlantanounUS /ætˈlæntə/
state capital and largest city of Georgia; chief commercial center of the southeastern United States; was plundered and burned by Sherman's army during the American Civil War
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
cheval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
climatenounUS /ˈklaɪmət/
the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
intentionally conceived
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
crimesnounUS /kraɪmz/
plural of “crime” — (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
curlverbUS /kɜːrl/
form a curl, curve, or kink
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
Decaloguenoun
the biblical commandments of Moses
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
well in the past; former
From this reading “Very well, Miss Ogden,” and the trim maid departed.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
Ethel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
a female domestic
From this reading “Very well, Miss Ogden,” and the trim maid departed.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “Very well, Miss Ogden,” and the trim maid departed.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
OgdennounUS /ˈɑːɡdən/
English psychologist who collaborated with I. A. Richards in designing Basic English (1889-1957)
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
on one occasion
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
pattingverbUS /ˈpætɪŋ/
inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
physiciannounUS /fəˈzɪʃən/
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
established beyond doubt
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
RECOGNITIONnounUS /ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃən/
the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
express in words
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Very well, Miss Ogden,” and the trim maid departed.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Ethel Ogden, conscious that she had made a hurried toilet, and feeling but half awake, paused before her cheval glass and took a final look at her costume and hair, patting a stray curl into place, then left her bedroom in search of her cousin.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading “Very well, Miss Ogden,” and the trim maid departed.
precisely as stated
From this reading “Very well, Miss Ogden,” and the trim maid departed.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Very well, Miss Ogden,” and the trim maid departed.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading RECOGNITION “PLEASE tell Mrs. Ogden, Rose, that I will join her at once.”
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The climate in Washington that winter had proved too severe for Ethel’s father, and by the advice of his physician he had gone in December to winter with friends in Atlanta.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had a dim impression that to be late for breakfast would rank with one of the crimes of the Decalogue in the eyes of Walter Ogden.
