used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
admiredadjectiveUS /ədˈmaɪərd/
regarded with admiration
From this reading Matilda was admired—beloved.
affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
artlessadjective
characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
assistingverbUS /əˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “assist” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Matilda was now assisting her mother in the duties of the school-room.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
dearly loved
From this reading Matilda was admired—beloved.
benignadjectiveUS /bɪˈnaɪn/
not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive (especially of a tumor)
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
boardingnounUS /ˈbɔːrdɪŋ/
the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
buddingnounUS /ˈbʌdɪŋ/
reproduction of some unicellular organisms (such as yeasts) by growth and specialization followed by the separation by constriction of a part of the parent
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
charmedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrmd/
strongly attracted
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
Clara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
corruptedadjectiveUS /kərˈʌptɪd/
containing errors or alterations
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Matilda was now assisting her mother in the duties of the school-room.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
gracesnounUS /ˈɡreɪsɪz/
plural of “grace” — (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Matilda was now assisting her mother in the duties of the school-room.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
injudiciousadjectiveUS /ˌɪndʒʌˈdɪʃəs/
lacking or showing lack of judgment or discretion; unwise
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
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 That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matilda was now assisting her mother in the duties of the school-room.
mellowedadjectiveUS /ˈmeloʊd/
having a full and pleasing flavor through proper aging
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Matilda was now assisting her mother in the duties of the school-room.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Matilda was now assisting her mother in the duties of the school-room.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
pervertedadjectiveUS /pərˈvɜːrtɪd/
(used of sexual behavior) showing or appealing to bizarre or deviant tastes
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
polishnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃ/
the property of being smooth and shiny
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
purifyingadjectiveUS /ˈpjʊrəfaɪɪŋ/
serving to purge or rid of sin
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
a person who is being chased
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
refinedadjectiveUS /rəˈfaɪnd/
(used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
in an unfortunate way
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
school-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matilda was now assisting her mother in the duties of the school-room.
schoolsnounUS /skuːlz/
plural of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
get rid of
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
express in words
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Matilda was now assisting her mother in the duties of the school-room.
at the time that
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
which person or people
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
belonging to which person
From this reading That quiet spirit, whose benign influence had been felt by so many in the morning of life, now shed its purifying influence in a more extended circle.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading That budding beauty which in childhood charmed, was mellowed, refined, by the graces and dignity of the woman.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
a late time of life
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You, who have known the course pursued in fashionable boarding schools—you who have seen the disappointed hopes—the perverted minds—the corrupted hearts which have been the result of injudicious plans of education, will not wonder when I tell you that the artless, affectionate Clara returned home, after two years _polish_, an altered, a sadly altered being.
