used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
(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 Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
Bingham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
a young person of either sex
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
CollinsnounUS /ˈkɑːlɪnz/
English writer noted for early detective novels (1824-1889)
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
currants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
divisible by two
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
footmannounUS /ˈfʊtmən/
a man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a palace) to run errands and do chores
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
housemaidnoun
a female domestic
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
inquisitiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪv/
showing curiosity
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
intrudernounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
predecessornounUS /ˈpredəsesər/
one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
reticencenounUS /ˈretɪsəns/
the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
scuttledverbUS /ˈskʌtəld/
past form of “scuttle” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
term of address for a man
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
steadnounUS /sted/
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/
English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
stubbornadjectiveUS /ˈstʌbərn/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
tongue-tiedadjective
unable to express yourself clearly or fluently
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading She was ugly, having small, round black eyes like currants—not inquisitive blue eyes like Collins.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading With set lips and tight throat Stephen watched this intruder as she scuttled to and fro doing Collins’ duties.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Stephen never went to her father’s study in order to talk of her grief over Collins.
which person or people
From this reading Collins disappeared and with her the footman, and in Collins’ stead came a new second housemaid, a niece of Mrs. Bingham’s, who was even more timid than her predecessor, and who talked not at all.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A reticence strange in so young a child, together with a new, stubborn pride, held her tongue-tied, so that she fought out her battle alone, and Sir Philip allowed her to do so.
