used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
(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 They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
assentingnoun
agreeing with or consenting to (often unwillingly)
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
confidentiallyadverbUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəli/
in a confidential manner
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
correspondencenounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndəns/
communication by the exchange of letters
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t say this out of vanity.
dressmakernounUS /ˈdresmeɪkər/
someone who makes or mends dresses
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
gownsnounUS /ɡaʊnz/
plural of “gown” — a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
lady'snounUS /ˈleɪdiz/
possessive form of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
medicaladjectiveUS /ˈmedəkəl/
relating to the study or practice of medicine
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
morningsnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
plural of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
not any; not one
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
politenessnounUS /pəˈlaɪtnəs/
a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
proportionedverbUS /prəˈpɔːrʃənd/
past form of “proportion” — give pleasant proportions to
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
with low volume
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
express in words
From this reading I don’t say this out of vanity.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
Semaphoreverb
send signals by or as if by semaphore
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
be seated
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I don’t say this out of vanity.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
vanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading I don’t say this out of vanity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
(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 “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Perfectly proportioned,” went on the medical lady in a lower key; “my dressmaker says she has no difficulty therefore in fitting me, and my gowns always sit well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
Whitley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am perfectly proportioned,” said the medical lady confidentially to Mrs. Whitley.
which person or people
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were seated at breakfast two or three mornings later, and the medical lady’s statement was interrupted by the entrance of Miss Semaphore, who glided quietly to her place, and took up her correspondence with some appearance of anxiety.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mrs. Whitley would not have thought so herself, but she made an assenting murmur, out of politeness.
