adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
apparentadjectiveUS /əˈperənt/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
attitudenounUS /ˈætətuːd/
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Madame Merle waited for Osmond to release their young friend from her _tête-à-tête_, and the Countess waited because Madame Merle did.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
begunverbUS /bɪˈɡʌn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
breakingnounUS /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/
the act of breaking something
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Countess, moreover, by waiting, found the time ripe for one of her pretty perversities.
ceaseverbUS /siːs/
put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
colloquynounUS /ˈkɑːləkwi/
a conversation especially a formal one
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
companionnounUS /kəmˈpænjən/
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
CountessnounUS /ˈkaʊntəs/
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Madame Merle waited for Osmond to release their young friend from her _tête-à-tête_, and the Countess waited because Madame Merle did.
disguisingverbUS /dɪsˈɡaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “disguise” — make unrecognizable
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
durationnounUS /ˈdʊˈreɪʃən/
the period of time during which something continues
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
exchangenounUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
expectancynounUS /ɪkˈspektənsi/
an expectation
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
followverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊ/
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading The Countess, moreover, by waiting, found the time ripe for one of her pretty perversities.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Madame Merle waited for Osmond to release their young friend from her _tête-à-tête_, and the Countess waited because Madame Merle did.
GemininounUS /ˈdʒemənaɪ/
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Gemini
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
impatiencenounUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
lessadverbUS /les/
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
MerlenounUS /mɜːrl/
common black European thrush
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
mindsnounUS /maɪndz/
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading The Countess, moreover, by waiting, found the time ripe for one of her pretty perversities.
nervousadjectiveUS /ˈnɜːrvəs/
easily agitated
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Countess, moreover, by waiting, found the time ripe for one of her pretty perversities.
Osmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame Merle waited for Osmond to release their young friend from her _tête-à-tête_, and the Countess waited because Madame Merle did.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
perversities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Countess, moreover, by waiting, found the time ripe for one of her pretty perversities.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading The Countess, moreover, by waiting, found the time ripe for one of her pretty perversities.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
releaseverbUS /riˈliːs/
release, as from one's grip
From this reading Madame Merle waited for Osmond to release their young friend from her _tête-à-tête_, and the Countess waited because Madame Merle did.
remarksnounUS /rɪˈmɑːrks/
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
ripeadjectiveUS /raɪp/
fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
From this reading The Countess, moreover, by waiting, found the time ripe for one of her pretty perversities.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
sittingnounUS /ˈsɪtɪŋ/
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
successnounUS /səkˈses/
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
sufficientlyadverbUS /səˈfɪʃəntli/
to a sufficient degree
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
tête-à-tête
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madame Merle waited for Osmond to release their young friend from her _tête-à-tête_, and the Countess waited because Madame Merle did.
unexpressedadjective
not made explicit
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
waitedverbUS /ˈweɪtɪd/
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Madame Merle waited for Osmond to release their young friend from her _tête-à-tête_, and the Countess waited because Madame Merle did.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While this sufficiently intimate colloquy (prolonged for some time after we cease to follow it) went forward Madame Merle and her companion, breaking a silence of some duration, had begun to exchange remarks.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were sitting in an attitude of unexpressed expectancy; an attitude especially marked on the part of the Countess Gemini, who, being of a more nervous temperament than her friend, practised with less success the art of disguising impatience.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading What these ladies were waiting for would not have been apparent and was perhaps not very definite to their own minds.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Madame Merle waited for Osmond to release their young friend from her _tête-à-tête_, and the Countess waited because Madame Merle did.
