used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
in the past
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
an occurrence of something
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
Charteris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
comprehensionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhenʃən/
an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
deucenounUS /duːs/
a tie in tennis or table tennis that requires winning two successive points to win the game
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
escritoirenoun
a desk used for writing
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
to an extreme degree
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
fineradjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnər/
(comparative of “fine”) greater in quality or excellence
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
a young female
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
inquiringlyadverb
in an inquiring manner
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
a small worthless amount
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
judiciousadjectiveUS /dʒuːˈdɪʃəs/
marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
the literary culture
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
noncommittaladjectiveUS /ˈnɑːnkəˈmɪtəl/
refusing to bind oneself to a particular course of action or view or the like
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
Pendomer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Pendomer ate on, in an exceedingly noncommittal fashion, as he paused, inquiringly.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
reading-matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
recommendedverbUS /ˌrekəˈmendɪd/
past form of “recommend” — push for something
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
relyverbUS /rɪˈlaɪ/
have faith or confidence in
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
supervisionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈvɪʒən/
management by overseeing the performance or operation of a person or group
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
tactnounUS /tækt/
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
a special situation
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
vergenounUS /vɜːrdʒ/
a region marking a boundary
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "She was looking through an old escritoire," he explained; "Jack Charteris had suggested that some of my father's letters--during the War, you know--. might be of value--" He paused, for Mrs. Pendomer appeared on the verge of a question.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
womanlyadjective
befitting or characteristic of a woman especially a mature woman
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading "She has been reading some letters," said he, at length; "some letters that I wrote a long time ago."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "In the case of so young a girl," observed Mrs. Pendomer, with perfect comprehension, "I should have undoubtedly recommended a judicious supervision of her reading-matter."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "--and I am sure that I can rely upon your womanly tact, and finer instincts,--and that sort of thing, you know--to help me out of a deuce of a mess."
