adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
appealverbUS /əˈpiːl/
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
Casti
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
circumstancesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz/
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Several circumstances united to make this event disastrous to Ida.
condescendedverbUS /ˌkɑːndɪˈsendɪd/
past form of “condescend” — behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
damagingadjectiveUS /ˈdæmɪdʒɪŋ/
(sometimes followed by “to”) causing harm or injury
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/
(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin
From this reading Several circumstances united to make this event disastrous to Ida.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
eventnounUS /ɪˈvent/
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Several circumstances united to make this event disastrous to Ida.
explanationnounUS /ˌekspləˈneɪʃən/
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
femaleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːmeɪl/
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
furtheradverbUS /ˈfɜːrðər/
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
gainedverbUS /ɡeɪnd/
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
hard-grained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
Harriet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
honestadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnəst/
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
Ida's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
laundressnoun
a working woman who takes in washing
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
laundrynounUS /ˈlɔːndri/
garments or white goods that can be cleaned by laundering
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading Several circumstances united to make this event disastrous to Ida.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
OPPORTUNITYnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnəti/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
paidadjectiveUS /peɪd/
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
plottedadjectiveUS /ˈplɑːtɪd/
with planning and intention
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
pointsnounUS /pɔɪnts/
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
pretencenoun
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
protectionnounUS /prəˈtekʃən/
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
questionsnounUS /ˈkwestʃənz/
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
QuiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
revealedverbUS /rɪˈviːld/
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
SeveraladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several circumstances united to make this event disastrous to Ida.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
Sprowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
StarrnounUS /stɑːr/
rock star and drummer for the Beatles (born in 1940)
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading Several circumstances united to make this event disastrous to Ida.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
wagesnounUS /ˈweɪdʒəz/
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
week'snounUS /wiːks/
possessive form of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Quite without notice, and without explanation, her employer had paid her a week's wages and dismissed her.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Her first astonished questions having been met with silence by the honest but hard-grained woman who kept the laundry, Ida had not condescended to any further appeal.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE OPPORTUNITY One or two days after this, Ida Starr came home from work with a heavy heart.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The fact was that the laundress had received a visit from a certain Mrs. Sprowl, who, under pretence of making inquiries for the protection of a young female friend, revealed the damaging points of Ida's story, and gained the end plotted with Harriet Casti.
