used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ABOUT A TOWN HOUSE.
ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ABOUT A TOWN HOUSE.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
a female human offspring
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
devoidadjectiveUS /dɪˈvɔɪd/
completely wanting or lacking
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
Durwent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
Elise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
a young female
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
guidingadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdɪŋ/
exerting control or influence
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading ABOUT A TOWN HOUSE.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
inconsistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt/
displaying a lack of consistency
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
individualitynounUS /ˌɪndɪvɪdʒuːˈælɪti/
the quality of being individual
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
Malcolm's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
take in marriage
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
mirroredadjectiveUS /ˈmɪrərd/
like or characteristic of a mirror image
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
by chance
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
permeatedverbUS /ˈpɜːrmieɪtɪd/
past form of “permeate” — spread or diffuse through
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
worried and uneasy
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
get by special effort
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
strivenverbUS /ˈstrɪvən/
inflected form of “strive” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading It did not concern her that the girl was permeated with individuality, that the temperament of an artist lay behind the changing eyes in that restless, graceful figure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading ABOUT A TOWN HOUSE.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
VaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
virtuousadjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtʃuːəs/
morally excellent
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
(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 Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was perhaps not inconsistent with the character of Lady Durwent that, although she had striven to secure the guiding of Malcolm's development, she should find herself totally devoid of any plan for the training of a daughter.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Vaguely--and in this she mirrored thousands of other mothers--there was a hope in her heart that Elise would grow up pretty, virtuous, amiable, and would eventually marry well.
