used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
the state of being absent
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
Aghadoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
any thing at all
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
compressedadjectiveUS /kəmˈprest/
pressed tightly together
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
Damerstown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
dineverbUS /daɪn/
have supper; eat dinner
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
DINNER-PARTY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
equipmentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/
an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
the act of departing
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
grandmothernounUS /ˈɡrændmʌðər/
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
housefulnounUS /ˈhaʊsfəl/
as many as a house will accommodate
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
inmatenounUS /ˈɪnmeɪt/
one of several resident of a dwelling (especially someone confined to a prison or hospital)
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
a female domestic
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
needlewomannoun
someone who makes or mends dresses
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
not any; not one
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
Nora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
Nora's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
being perceived or observed
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
nunsnounUS /nʌnz/
plural of “nun” — a woman religious
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
express in words
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DINNER-PARTY The day following that Nora became an inmate of Aghadoe.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading Nora was modest and dainty in her ways, and having been brought up by the nuns she was an excellent needlewoman, so that she had so much equipment for the post of my maid.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
at the time that
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The day came round on which we were to dine at Damerstown.
which person or people
From this reading She had no relative nearer than an uncle, who had a houseful of children of his own, so that Nora's absence must be a relief in a manner of speaking; and my grandmother never refused me anything in reason.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I had not meant to tell Nora that we were going there, but she discovered it from something my grandmother said when she came to my room, and I noticed that she sat with tightly compressed lips over her sewing that afternoon.
