used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
speak to
From this reading She was surprised when Elma asked her, without any embarrassment for Mr. Symington’s address.
AdelaidenounUS /ˈædəleɪd/
the state capital of South Australia
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She was surprised when Elma asked her, without any embarrassment for Mr. Symington’s address.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
convalescentnounUS /ˌkɑːnvəˈlesənt/
a person who is recovering from illness
From this reading This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
convertedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “convert” — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
From this reading This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
Elma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
embarrassmentnounUS /ɪmˈberəsmənt/
the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
From this reading She was surprised when Elma asked her, without any embarrassment for Mr. Symington’s address.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
invitationsnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
Isobel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
and nothing more
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
Leighton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now who was this friend, Mrs. Leighton wondered?
Leighton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
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 This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
Maud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
a form of address for a man
From this reading She was surprised when Elma asked her, without any embarrassment for Mr. Symington’s address.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Now who was this friend, Mrs. Leighton wondered?
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now who was this friend, Mrs. Leighton wondered?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Elma had asked Isobel if she might have just one invitation for a special friend of her own.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading She was surprised when Elma asked her, without any embarrassment for Mr. Symington’s address.
Symington's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was surprised when Elma asked her, without any embarrassment for Mr. Symington’s address.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This had been converted into a sitting-room so long as Elma remained a convalescent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
at the time that
From this reading She was surprised when Elma asked her, without any embarrassment for Mr. Symington’s address.
which person or people
From this reading Now who was this friend, Mrs. Leighton wondered?
in the company of; together with
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She was surprised when Elma asked her, without any embarrassment for Mr. Symington’s address.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Now who was this friend, Mrs. Leighton wondered?
the act of creating written works
From this reading Adelaide Maud The Leighton’s had been writing off the invitations for the wedding, and Elma was in her room with Adelaide Maud.
