used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
CENTERnounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
coachmannounUS /ˈkoʊtʃmən/
a man who drives a coach (or carriage)
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Hab Miss Rebekah come in?”
curbnounUS /kɜːrb/
an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
Hab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Hab Miss Rebekah come in?”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
industriouslyadverb
in an industrious manner
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
knittingnounUS /ˈnɪtɪŋ/
needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
go away from a place
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
a woman of refinement
From this reading “’Scuse me, madam,” she said respectfully.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
maid-of-all-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “’Scuse me, madam,” she said respectfully.
MinervanounUS /məˈnɜːrvə/
(Roman mythology) goddess of wisdom; counterpart of Greek Athena
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
Minerva's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “Hab Miss Rebekah come in?”
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
Rebekahnoun
(Old Testament) wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau
From this reading “Hab Miss Rebekah come in?”
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
respectfullyadverbUS /rɪˈspektfəli/
in a respectful manner
From this reading “’Scuse me, madam,” she said respectfully.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “’Scuse me, madam,” she said respectfully.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
Scuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “’Scuse me, madam,” she said respectfully.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
victorianounUS /vɪkˈtɔːriə/
queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
at the time that
From this reading There was no one in the carriage, and thinking the coachman had made a mistake in the number of the house, she was about to ring for Minerva when that dusky maid-of-all-work appeared in the doorway, dressed in hat and coat.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
but in spite of that
From this reading “Not yet,” Minerva’s face fell; she had received strict orders from Marjorie never to leave Madame Yvonett alone in the house.
YVONETT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STORM CENTER MADAME YVONETT, knitting industriously as she sat in the bow window of her small parlor, watched a smart victoria drive up to the curb and stop before her door.
