Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

how long something has existed

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

in addition

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading CONCERNING LADY DURWENT'S FAMILY.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

a person to whom money is owed by a debtor; someone to whom an obligation exists

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

a female human offspring

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

causing displeasure or lacking pleasing qualities

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CONCERNING LADY DURWENT'S FAMILY.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

a social unit living together

From this reading CONCERNING LADY DURWENT'S FAMILY.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

many times at short intervals

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

someone who sells hardware

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading CONCERNING LADY DURWENT'S FAMILY.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

immediately past

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

a plan for attaining a particular goal

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

a particular point in time

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

used to form the superlative

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

disregarded

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

many times at short intervals

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

on the contrary

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

plural of “smuggler” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

of or relating to the theater

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

free from physical or moral spots or stains

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

not propitious

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

free from emotional agitation or nervous tension

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

relating to or produced by or consisting of volcanoes

From this reading She had a cheerfulness that obtruded itself, like a creditor, at unpropitious moments; and her voice, though not displeasing, gave the impression that it might become volcanic at any moment.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

belonging to which person

From this reading She was the daughter of an ironmonger in the north of England, whose father had been one of the last and most famous of a long line of smugglers.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading She also possessed a considerable theatrical instinct, with which she would frequently manoeuvre to the centre of the stage, to find, as often as not, that she had neglected the trifling matter of learning any lines.

plural of “wrinkle” — a slight depression or fold in the smoothness of a surface

From this reading Lady Durwent was rather a large woman, of middle age, with a high forehead unruffled by thought, and a clear skin unmarred by wrinkles.