used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
(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 And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
eagerly desirous
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
Bloomsburynoun
a city district of central London laid out in garden squares
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
brought into existence
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
characterized by great determination
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
disadvantagesnounUS /ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒɪz/
plural of “disadvantage” — the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
equivalentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/
a person or thing equal to another in value or measure or force or effect or significance etc
From this reading The result was highly ornamental, but scarcely equivalent to the vast expense incurred.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
expensenounUS /ɪkˈspens/
amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading The result was highly ornamental, but scarcely equivalent to the vast expense incurred.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
a social unit living together
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
genteeladjectiveUS /dʒenˈtiːl/
marked by refinement in taste and manners
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
gentilitynounUS /dʒenˈtɪlɪti/
elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
governesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading The result was highly ornamental, but scarcely equivalent to the vast expense incurred.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
incurredverbUS /ˌɪnˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “incur” — make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
From this reading The result was highly ornamental, but scarcely equivalent to the vast expense incurred.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
labouredadjective
lacking natural ease
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
engage in
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
milliners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
used to form the superlative
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
a form of address for a man
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
nervenounUS /nɜːrv/
any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
nursesnounUS /ˈnɜːrsəz/
plural of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
ornamentalnounUS /ˌɔːrnəˈmentəl/
any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
From this reading The result was highly ornamental, but scarcely equivalent to the vast expense incurred.
overrunverbUS /ˈoʊvərrʌn/
invade in great numbers
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
go across or through
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
Plowden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
Plowdens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The result was highly ornamental, but scarcely equivalent to the vast expense incurred.
ReverendnounUS /ˈrevərənd/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
only a very short time before
From this reading The result was highly ornamental, but scarcely equivalent to the vast expense incurred.
get by special effort
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
sugar-broking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
a source of difficulty
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
tutorsnounUS /ˈtuːtərz/
plural of “tutor” — a person who gives private instruction (as in singing, acting, etc.)
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The result was highly ornamental, but scarcely equivalent to the vast expense incurred.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The Reverend James Plowden was born of rich but honest parents in the sugar-broking way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
which person or people
From this reading He was one of a large family, who were objects of anxious thought to Mr. and Mrs. Plowden.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading These worthy people, aware of the disadvantages under which they laboured in the matter of education, determined that neither trouble nor money should be spared to make their children “genteel.”
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading And so it came to pass that the “mansion” near Bloomsbury was overrun with the most expensive nurses, milliners, governesses, and tutors, all straining every nerve to secure the perfect gentility of the young Plowdens.
