used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
Acton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading The cabin breakfast was served at half-past eight.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading The cabin breakfast was served at half-past eight.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
commonplaceadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
completely ordinary and unremarkable
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
demandsnounUS /dɪˈmændz/
plural of “demand” — an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
being one more than seven
From this reading The cabin breakfast was served at half-past eight.
to come or go into
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
everydayadjectiveUS /ˈevriˈdeɪ/
found in the ordinary course of events
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
exaltedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɔːltɪd/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
the act of giving
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cabin breakfast was served at half-past eight.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
hunchbacknounUS /ˈhʌntʃbæk/
an abnormal backward curve to the vertebral column
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
jiltedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɪltɪd/
rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
LawrencenounUS /ˈlɔːrəns/
Roman martyr; supposedly Lawrence was ordered by the police to give up the church's treasure and when he responded by presenting the poor people of Rome he was roasted to death on a gridiron (died in 258)
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
go away from a place
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
LUCY'SnounUS /ˈluːsiz/
possessive form of “lucy” — incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
roused to anger
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
MADNESSnounUS /ˈmædnəs/
obsolete terms for legal insanity
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
and nothing more
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
milkmannounUS /ˈmɪlkmæn/
someone who delivers milk
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
used to form the superlative
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
a form of address for a man
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
passengernounUS /ˈpæsəndʒər/
a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
poeticadjectiveUS /poʊˈetɪk/
of or relating to poetry
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
quittingverbUS /ˈkwɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “quit” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The cabin breakfast was served at half-past eight.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
transport commercially
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
soul-lifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
steeragenoun
the cheapest accommodations on a passenger ship
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading A tray for Lucy was placed at the side of Mr Lawrence, who with his own hand furnished it.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
unlockedadjectiveUS /ənˈlɑːkt/
not firmly fastened or secured
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
vulgaradjectiveUS /ˈvʌlɡər/
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading He then directed Paul, whilst giving him the key, to leave the door unlocked on quitting the berth, and, turning in his chair, he watched the hunchback enter.
which person or people
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading LUCY'S MADNESS The monotonous and commonplace demands of everyday life on board ship as well as on shore will enter into the most exalted and uncommon forms of romance at sea.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
wooedverbUS /wuːd/
past form of “woo” — seek someone's favor
From this reading Whether Lucy Acton was mad, or whether she was merely acting a part, it was as certain she must be fed as though she was a vulgar, homely, steerage passenger with nothing more poetic and soul-lifting in her life than the faded portrait of the milkman who wooed and then jilted her.
