used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
annualadjectiveUS /ˈænjuːəl/
completing its life cycle within a year
From this reading This is an annual entertainment by which Chicago sets great store.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
automaticallyadverbUS /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪkli/
in a reflex manner
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This is an annual entertainment by which Chicago sets great store.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading This is an annual entertainment by which Chicago sets great store.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading She was to have danced in it.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
EasternounUS /ˈiːstər/
a Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ; celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading This is an annual entertainment by which Chicago sets great store.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
externals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This is an annual entertainment by which Chicago sets great store.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She was to have danced in it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
ILLUSTRATIONnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/
artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
immenselyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmensli/
to an exceedingly great extent or degree
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
insistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstənt/
repetitive and persistent
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is an annual entertainment by which Chicago sets great store.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She was to have danced in it.
JuniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
LeaguenounUS /liːɡ/
an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
and nothing more
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
setsnounUS /sets/
plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
From this reading This is an annual entertainment by which Chicago sets great store.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
simplifiedverbUS /ˈsɪmpləfaɪd/
inflected form of “simplify” — make simpler or easier or reduce in complexity or extent
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
the season of growth
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading This is an annual entertainment by which Chicago sets great store.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is an annual entertainment by which Chicago sets great store.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was to have danced in it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading AN ILLUSTRATION So far as externals went, her life, that spring, was immensely simplified.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The social demands on her, which had been so insistent all winter, stopped almost automatically.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The only exception was the Junior League show in Easter week, for which she put in quite a lot of work.
