used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The motherliness of the night before had completely vanished.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
Caryl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
CITADELnounUS /ˈsɪt.ə.del/
A fortress protecting a city, metaphorically representing the invincible inner sanctuary of the rational mind.
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The motherliness of the night before had completely vanished.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
deferentialadjectiveUS /ˌdefərˈentʃəl/
showing deference
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
discreetadjectiveUS /dɪˈskriːt/
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
doingsnounUS /ˈduːɪŋz/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
DorisnounUS /ˈdɔːrəs/
(Greek mythology) wife of Nereus and mother of the Nereids
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
a young female
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Doris was glad of it.
gloriouslyadverbUS /ˈɡlɔːriəsli/
with glory or in a glorious manner
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Doris was glad of it.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
Maynard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
subject to death
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
motherlinessnoun
the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother
From this reading The motherliness of the night before had completely vanished.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
and nothing more
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
reticencenounUS /ˈretɪsəns/
the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
shrinkingnounUS /ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ/
process or result of becoming less or smaller
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
the state of being asleep
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
not in physical motion
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
the rays of the sun
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
SURRENDERnounUS /sərˈendər/
acceptance of despair
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
having passed out of existence
From this reading The motherliness of the night before had completely vanished.
precisely as stated
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
Vivian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
at the time that
From this reading When Doris awoke in response to her deferential knock, only the reticence of the trained servant greeted her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
which person or people
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
wide-openadjective
open wide
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE SURRENDER OF THE CITADEL Old Mrs. Maynard, sweeping her brick floor with wide-open door through which the April sunlight streamed gloriously, nodded to herself a good many times over the doings of the night.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A very discreet creature was Mrs. Maynard, faithful to the very heart of her, but she would not have been mortal had she not been intensely curious to know what were the circumstances that had led Vivian Caryl to bring to her door that shrinking, exhausted girl who still lay sleeping in the room above.
