used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
admiringverbUS /ædˈmaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “admire” — feel admiration for
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
allowancenounUS /əˈlaʊəns/
an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Besides this drawback there was another.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides this drawback there was another.
betimesadverb
in good time
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
COMPLICATIONSnounUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “complication” — the act or process of complicating
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
the first light of day
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
deploredverbUS /dɪˈplɔːrd/
past form of “deplore” — express strong disapproval of
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
doubledadjectiveUS /ˈdʌbəld/
twice as great or many
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
drawbacknounUS /ˈdrɔːbæk/
the quality of being a hindrance
From this reading Besides this drawback there was another.
dressesnounUS /ˈdresəz/
plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
enduringadjectiveUS /enˈdjʊrɪŋ/
lasting a long time
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
gaudyadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːdi/
tastelessly showy
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
a young female
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
GlasgownounUS /ˈɡlæskoʊ/
largest city in Scotland; a port on the Clyde in west central Scotland; one of the great shipbuilding centers of the world
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
destroyed or killed
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
MorrisonnounUS /ˈmɔːrɪsən/
United States rock singer (1943-1971)
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
Norah's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
steading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Besides this drawback there was another.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
wakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
(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 COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
at the time that
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He had broken with the little girl in Glasgow; for while admiring her good looks he deplored her lack of intelligence.
in the company of; together with
From this reading COMPLICATIONS I On the night of Norah’s arrival at the steading Alec Morrison slept well, but wakened with the dawn and sat up betimes.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She spent a great deal of her time in dressing herself, and Morrison knew that there would come a day when dresses would not please, when a husband would require something more worthy of respect, something more enduring than pretty looks and gaudy garments.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He was very pleased with himself and his position at the bank; things had gone well, his father had doubled his allowance, and on the strength of that the young man had become engaged.
