used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
for the reason that
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
BLOTTEDverbUS /ˈblɑːtəd/
inflected form of “blot” — dry (ink) with blotting paper
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
commentsnounUS /ˈkɑːments/
plural of “comment” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
companionshipnounUS /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/
the state of being with someone
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
DepartmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
hairdressernounUS /ˈherdresər/
someone who cuts or beautifies hair
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
infancynounUS /ˈɪnfənsi/
the early stage of growth or development
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
latch-key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
latter'snounUS /ˈlætərz/
possessive form of “latter” — the second of two or the second mentioned of two
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
a female domestic
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
Mammynoun
an offensive term for a Black nursemaid in the southern U.S.
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
Mammy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
MARIANadjectiveUS /ˈmeriən/
of or relating to or venerating the Virgin Mary
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
maximsnounUS /ˈmæksəmz/
plural of “maxim” — a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
NessnounUS /nes/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
over-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
persuadedverbUS /pərˈsweɪdɪd/
past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/
blessed with privileges
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
reluctancenounUS /rɪˈlʌktəns/
(physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
carry out
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
tediumnounUS /ˈtiːdiəm/
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading After her visit to the hairdresser she had persuaded Evelyn, against the latter’s better judgment, to take a light dinner down town with her and had prolonged the walk home because of her desire for companionship.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
at the time that
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
which person or people
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
wiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mammy was a privileged character, and her shrewd comments and homely maxims frequently wiled away the tedium of evenings at home.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE BLOTTED PAGE MARIAN Van Ness turned the latch-key and stepped into her apartment with reluctance.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When Marian felt the strain of over-work and long hours at the State Department Mammy, on her return, would put her to bed and nurse her as she had done in infancy.
a late time of life
From this reading It was Mammy’s “church night,” and Marian dreaded the long evening by herself before the return of the faithful old servant who had been her mother’s personal maid years before.
