used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was seven o'clock and Betty had started to dress.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
of surpassing excellence
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
unvarying in nature
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
put on clothes
From this reading It was seven o'clock and Betty had started to dress.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
opinion or judgment
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
filmyadjective
so thin as to transmit light
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
a young female
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was seven o'clock and Betty had started to dress.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
hustleverbUS /ˈhʌsəl/
cause to move furtively and hurriedly
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was seven o'clock and Betty had started to dress.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
LANTERNSnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
immediately past
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
MechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
NelsonnounUS /ˈnelsən/
English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was seven o'clock and Betty had started to dress.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It was seven o'clock and Betty had started to dress.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
move stealthily
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
stagesnounUS /ˈsteɪdʒəz/
plural of “stage” — any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was seven o'clock and Betty had started to dress.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was seven o'clock and Betty had started to dress.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
precisely as stated
From this reading She was very sure that that very pretty girl in the mirror, with the flushed cheeks and brilliant eyes, could never be the Betty Nelson she had grown up with--it could not be!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was seven o'clock and Betty had started to dress.
be dressed in
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading MAGIC LANTERNS Two weeks of constant hustle, excitement and preparation passed by until at last came--the big night!
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mechanically, with fingers that shook a little from excitement, she went through the early stages of the process, until it was time to slip into the pretty filmy lace dress she was to wear for the first part of the evening.
showing curiosity
From this reading Then her eyes met the reflected ones in the mirror, and she stopped short, wondering "if this were really I."
