used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
any person at all
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
Clementina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
DemetriusnounUS /dɪˈmiːtriəs/
son of Antigonus Cyclops and king of Macedonia; he and his father were defeated at the battle of Ipsus (337-283 BC)
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
divertingadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrtɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
domesticsnounUS /dəˈmestɪks/
plural of “domestic” — a servant who is paid to perform menial tasks around the household
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
being one more than seven
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
enviableadjectiveUS /ˈenviəbəl/
causing envy
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
the organ of sight
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
a social unit living together
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
guardiannounUS /ˈɡɑːrdiən/
a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
Henrietta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
Langai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
Lapussa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
for more time
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
not any; not one
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
nocturnaladjectiveUS /nɑːkˈtɜːrnəl/
belonging to or active during the night
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
penaladjectiveUS /ˈpiːnəl/
of or relating to punishment
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
plagueverbUS /pleɪɡ/
cause to suffer a blight
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
preferableadjectiveUS /ˈprefərəbəl/
more desirable than another
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
servitudenounUS /ˈsɜːrvətuːd/
state of subjection to an owner or master or forced labor imposed as punishment
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
be seated
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
up to a particular time
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
tormentingverbUS /ˈtɔːrmentɪŋ/
-ing form of “torment” — torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
precisely as stated
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then Madame Langai went to the theatre and Henrietta and the governess had to sit down at the piano in the large drawing-room till it was time to put the child to bed.
at the time that
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Till eight o'clock every evening he was fully occupied in tormenting the whole family.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But when Clementina and the domestics had had supper and there was no longer anybody else with him, the turn of the night nurse began.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading Old Lapussa always liked to have under his eye, night and day, some one or other whom he could plague and worry.
but in spite of that
From this reading The duties of a night nurse are never very enviable or diverting at the best of times, yet penal servitude for life was a fate almost preferable to being the nocturnal guardian of old Demetrius Lapussa.
