used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
BraidingnounUS /ˈbreɪdɪŋ/
trimming used to decorate clothes or curtains
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
bravelyadverbUS /ˈbreɪvli/
in a courageous manner
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
chainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
cryptnounUS /krɪpt/
An underground room or vault beneath an ancient building, often used for storage or burials.
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
demonsnounUS /ˈdiːmənz/
plural of “demon” — an evil supernatural being
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
EMPIREnounUS /ˈempaɪər/
the domain ruled by an emperor or empress; the region over which imperial dominion is exercised
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
fidgetyadjective
nervous and unable to relax
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
with resolute determination
From this reading G.J., still paternally, but firmly, took her up at once.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
frightfuladjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtfəl/
provoking horror
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
frontingverbUS /ˈfrʌntɪŋ/
-ing form of “front” — be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
From this reading G.J., still paternally, but firmly, took her up at once.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
intimidatingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪtɪŋ/
discouraging through fear
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
JnounUS /dʒeɪ/
a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second
From this reading G.J., still paternally, but firmly, took her up at once.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
lady's-maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
on one occasion
From this reading G.J., still paternally, but firmly, took her up at once.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
paternallyadverb
in a paternal manner
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
respectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪd/
receiving deferential regard
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
not in physical motion
From this reading G.J., still paternally, but firmly, took her up at once.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
thirty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːrdifaɪv/
being five more than thirty
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading G.J., still paternally, but firmly, took her up at once.
tranquillisingadjective
tending to soothe or tranquilize
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading G.J., still paternally, but firmly, took her up at once.
upturnedadjective
having been turned so that the bottom is no longer the bottom
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
vivaciousadjectiveUS /vəˈveɪʃəs/
vigorous and animated
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading She was thirty-five, and her aspect recalled the pretty, respected lady's-maid which she had been before Braiding got her and knocked some nonsense out of her and turned her into a wife.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Slender, small, and neat, she passed her life in bravely fronting the shapes of disaster with an earnest, vivacious, upturned face.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading FOR THE EMPIRE Mrs. Braiding came into the drawing-room, and he wondered, paternally, why she was so fidgety and why her tranquillising mate had not appeared.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading To the careless observer she was a cheerful woman, but the temple of her brightness was reared over a dark and frightful crypt in which the demons of doubt, anxiety, and despair year after year dragged at their chains, intimidating hope.
