used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
bandannanoun
large and brightly colored handkerchief; often used as a neckerchief
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
beamingadjectiveUS /ˈbiːmɪŋ/
cheerful and bright
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
bowingnounUS /ˈboʊɪŋ/
bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
brimfuladjective
filled to capacity
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
brisklyadverbUS /ˈbrɪskli/
in a brisk manner
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
bustlingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/
full of energetic and noisy activity
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
chirped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
Cimon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
courtesying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
a female human offspring
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
deep-nestled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
domesticsnounUS /dəˈmestɪks/
plural of “domestic” — a servant who is paid to perform menial tasks around the household
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
at any time
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
gentleradjectiveUS /ˈdʒentlər/
comparative of “gentle” — soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
handmaidennoun
in a subordinate position
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
ivories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
Milly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
modestlyadverbUS /ˈmɑːdəstli/
with modesty; in a modest manner
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
morningsnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
plural of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
Phœbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/
blessed with privileges
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
resplendentadjectiveUS /riˈsplendənt/
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
sablenounUS /ˈseɪbəl/
an artist's brush made of sable hairs
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
the display of a motion picture
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
a person who is owned by someone
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
smilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
unearthlyadjectiveUS /əˈnɜːrθli/
concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Christmas gift!” modestly echoed the handmaiden Milly, her sable daughter, modestly bringing up the rear and showing all her ivories.
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading I don’t think the relations between Virginia master and Virginia slave ever appeared in a gentler or more attractive aspect than on Christmas mornings.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
in the company of; together with
From this reading Christmas gift!” beaming with smiles and brimful of good nature, was enough to warm the heart of a Cimon.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “Christmas gift! young ladies, Christmas gift!” chirped Aunt Phœbe, bustling briskly, in her resplendent bandanna, into the room, and courtesying and bowing, and bowing and courtesying in turn, to the two fair heads that lay deep-nestled in their pillows.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The way the older and more privileged domestics had of bursting into your room at the most unearthly hour, shouting “Christmas gift!
