used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
an occurrence of something
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Madelene caught and rightly interpreted Ermine's unspoken inquiry.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
recognizable; marked
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
decisionsnounUS /dɪˈsɪʒənz/
plural of “decision” — the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
differencesnounUS /ˈdɪfərənsɪz/
plural of “difference” — the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
Ella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
ErminenounUS /ˈɜːrmən/
the expensive white fur of the ermine
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
Ermine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madelene caught and rightly interpreted Ermine's unspoken inquiry.
divisible by two
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
existingadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ/
presently existing
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading Madelene caught and rightly interpreted Ermine's unspoken inquiry.
interpretedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrprətəd/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Madelene caught and rightly interpreted Ermine's unspoken inquiry.
invasionnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪʒən/
the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
look-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
Madelene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
mutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/
common to or shared by two or more parties
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
outsidernounUS /ˌaʊtˈsaɪ.dər/
A person who does not belong to a particular group or community; a stranger.
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
with speed
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
rightlyadverbUS /ˈraɪtli/
with honesty
From this reading Madelene caught and rightly interpreted Ermine's unspoken inquiry.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
thoroughadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːroʊ/
painstakingly careful and accurate
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
unspokenadjectiveUS /ənˈspoʊkən/
expressed without speech
From this reading Madelene caught and rightly interpreted Ermine's unspoken inquiry.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I shall like her the best," she rapidly decided, for she was much given to rapid decisions.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The truth was that she was on the look-out for some sign or signal from Madelene as to what was the meaning of this sudden invasion and in what spirit it was to be met.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For though they were not absolutely free from small differences of opinion in private, the mutual understanding and confidence existing between the sisters were thorough and complete, and even had this not been the case, they would never have allowed any outsider to suspect it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You have quite taken us by surprise, Ella," said Ermine, in a tone which told nothing.
