used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
anew
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
(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 The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
diligentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/
quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
dosenounUS /doʊs/
a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
Ella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
divisible by two
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The fire was not lighted.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
governessing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
hour-and-a-half's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading The morning seemed interminable.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
immediately past
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
a room where books are kept
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
set afire or burning
From this reading The fire was not lighted.
literallyadverbUS /ˈlɪtərəli/
in a literal sense
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
not any; not one
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
no person; not anyone
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
obligationnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃən/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
and nothing more
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
practising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The morning seemed interminable.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
stocking-darning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
TiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
unendurableadjective
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
the act of using
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had been so diligent the day before, that this morning there was even less than usual for her to do, and after the hour-and-a-half's piano practising there was literally no obligation on her of any kind.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The library books were in perfect order, the flowers in the drawing-room had been all attended to, and if not, thought Ella bitterly, what was the use of dressing up the room for nobody to see!
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Tired of the big, empty rooms Ella at last went off up stairs to give herself another dose of stocking-darning, as a preparation for the governessing which again began to fill her imagination as the only possible escape from this unendurable state of things.
