used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
apologeticadjectiveUS /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪk/
offering or expressing apology
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
arguedverbUS /ˈɑːrɡjuːd/
past form of “argue” — present reasons and arguments
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
backachesnounUS /ˈbækeɪks/
plural of “backache” — an ache localized in the back
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
commiserationnoun
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Rose could truthfully say that she was feeling wretched.
DAMASCUSnounUS /dəˈmæskəs/
an ancient city (widely regarded as the world's oldest) and present capital and largest city of Syria; according to the New Testament, the Apostle Paul (then known as Saul) underwent a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
being one more than seven
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
divisible by two
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
excusesnounUS /ɪksˈkjuːsɪz/
plural of “excuse” — a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
give expression to
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
eyebrowsnounUS /ˈaɪbraʊz/
plural of “eyebrow” — the arch of hair above each eye
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Rose could truthfully say that she was feeling wretched.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
set up or found
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
inflexiblyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈfleksəbli/
in an inflexible manner
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
JustlyadverbUS /ˈdʒʌstli/
with honesty
From this reading Justly, too.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
engage in
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
not any; not one
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
perfunctoryadjectiveUS /pərˈfʌŋktəri/
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
Portia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
potentiallyadverbUS /pəˈtenʃəli/
with a possibility of becoming actual
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
regardlessadverbUS /rəˈɡɑːrdləs/
in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
express in words
From this reading Rose could truthfully say that she was feeling wretched.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rose could truthfully say that she was feeling wretched.
do one's shopping
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
sisterlyadjective
like or characteristic of or befitting a sister
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
be seated
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
skepticaladjectiveUS /ˈskeptəkəl/
denying or questioning the tenets of especially a religion
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
straight-backedadjective
having a straight back
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Justly, too.
truthfullyadverbUS /ˈtruːθfəli/
with truth
From this reading Rose could truthfully say that she was feeling wretched.
validadjectiveUS /ˈvælɪd/
well grounded in logic or truth or having legal force
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading THE DAMASCUS ROAD It argued no real lack of sisterly affection that Rose didn't want to see Portia that morning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
which person or people
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
worthlessadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrθləs/
lacking in usefulness or value
From this reading Even if there had been no other reason, being found in bed at half past ten in the morning by a sister who inflexibly opened her little shop at half past eight, regardless of bad weather, backaches and other potentially valid excuses, was enough to make one feel apologetic and worthless.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But Portia would sit there, slim and erect, in a little straight-backed chair, and whatever perfunctory commiseration she might manage to express, the look of her fine eyebrows would be skeptical.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading Rose could truthfully say that she was feeling wretched.
