used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
equally
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
ANNIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
AUNTYnoun
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
the two together, not just one
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
counterpartnounUS /ˈkaʊntərpɑːrt/
a person or thing having the same function or characteristics as another
From this reading In point of fact, Aunt Annie, within her own orbit, was the counterpart and reflection of her Sovereign.
declare untrue; contradict
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
dizzyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪzi/
having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
eminencenounUS /ˈemənəns/
high status importance owing to marked superiority
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In point of fact, Aunt Annie, within her own orbit, was the counterpart and reflection of her Sovereign.
a social unit living together
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
let have
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
HARRIET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
incontestably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
and nothing more
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
information about recent and important events
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
niecesnounUS /ˈniːsɪz/
plural of “niece” — a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
held or filled or in use
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
orbitnounUS /ˈɔːrbət/
the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another
From this reading In point of fact, Aunt Annie, within her own orbit, was the counterpart and reflection of her Sovereign.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
outlooknounUS /ˈaʊtlʊk/
a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading In point of fact, Aunt Annie, within her own orbit, was the counterpart and reflection of her Sovereign.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
personagenoun
another word for person; a person not meriting identification
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading In point of fact, Aunt Annie, within her own orbit, was the counterpart and reflection of her Sovereign.
precedencenounUS /ˈpresədəns/
status established in order of importance or urgency
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
prioritynounUS /praɪˈɔːrəti/
status established in order of importance or urgency
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading In point of fact, Aunt Annie, within her own orbit, was the counterpart and reflection of her Sovereign.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
SovereignadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːv.rən/
Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.
From this reading In point of fact, Aunt Annie, within her own orbit, was the counterpart and reflection of her Sovereign.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
carry out
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
unthinkableadjectiveUS /ənˈθɪŋkəbəl/
incapable of being conceived or considered
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
VictorianounUS /vɪkˈtɔːriə/
queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AUNT ANNIE AND AUNTY HARRIET I AUNT ANNIE was the first to be told the great news.
well-informedadjective
possessing sound knowledge
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In an outlook they were alike, they were alike in the range of their ideas, and well-informed people had said that they had tricks of speech and manner in common.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading In point of fact, Aunt Annie, within her own orbit, was the counterpart and reflection of her Sovereign.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading In the view of both nieces it was in the natural order of things that this august lady should take precedence of the rest of the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She was so incontestably the family “personage,” the eminence she occupied was such a dizzy one, that it would have been just as unthinkable not to grant her priority in a matter of such vital importance, as it would have been to deny it to Queen Victoria in an affair of State.
