used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
comedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
conventionaladjectiveUS /kənˈvenʃənəl/
following accepted customs and proprieties
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
one or the other of two
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading Mrs. Lauderdale was indignant.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
Katharine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
Lauderdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Lauderdale was indignant.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
ludicrousadjectiveUS /ˈluːdəkrəs/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
engage in
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
a particular point in time
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Lauderdale was indignant.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
phrasesnounUS /ˈfreɪzəz/
plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
participate in games or sport
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Less conventional than either her father or mother, it had occurred to her for a moment that she was acting a part in an amusing comedy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
a special situation
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Katharine, at least, had been able to see the ludicrous side of the situation, and had laughed to herself on finding that she was locked in.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The idea that by one or two absurd phrases she had so irritated Alexander as to make him forget his dignity and his common sense together, and do a thoroughly foolish thing such as a child in a passion might do, was funny in the extreme, she thought.
precisely as stated
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Lauderdale was indignant.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But Mrs. Lauderdale, being called in, as it were, after the play, thought the result very poor fun indeed.
