used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Take it with you and put it in the box downstairs!"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading "Take it with you and put it in the box downstairs!"
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
calmeradjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmər/
comparative of “calm” — not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading "Take it with you and put it in the box downstairs!"
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
start firing a weapon
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
in a gradual manner
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
havennounUS /ˈheɪvən/
a shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Take it with you and put it in the box downstairs!"
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
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 Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
a female domestic
From this reading Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "Take it with you and put it in the box downstairs!"
with speed
From this reading Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
spasmodicallyadverbUS /spæzˈmɔːdɪkli/
with spasms
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
not in physical motion
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
carry out
From this reading "Take it with you and put it in the box downstairs!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
precisely as stated
From this reading Field left her in the charge of her maid, but the latter she very quickly dismissed.
VioletnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading In the safe haven of her own room Violet recovered somewhat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Take it with you and put it in the box downstairs!"
wrappernounUS /ˈræpər/
a loose dressing gown for women
From this reading She sat before the fire clad in a wrapper, still shivering spasmodically, but growing gradually calmer.
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I believe there is a letter on the writing-table," she said to the maid as she was about to go out.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Take it with you and put it in the box downstairs!"
