used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
how long something has existed
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
blinkingadjectiveUS /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ/
closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly
From this reading "I'm plain, and there's no blinking the fact," she confessed to herself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
castenounUS /kæst/
social status or position conferred by a system based on class
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading "I'm plain, and there's no blinking the fact," she confessed to herself.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading "I'm plain, and there's no blinking the fact," she confessed to herself.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
fidgetingverbUS /ˈfɪdʒətɪŋ/
-ing form of “fidget” — move restlessly
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
Gascoyne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
Gwen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "I'm plain, and there's no blinking the fact," she confessed to herself.
hobbledehoynoun
an awkward bad-mannered adolescent boy
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm plain, and there's no blinking the fact," she confessed to herself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/
inadequate in amount or degree
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
fasten with a lock
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
looking-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
social deportment
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
not any; not one
From this reading "I'm plain, and there's no blinking the fact," she confessed to herself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading "I'm plain, and there's no blinking the fact," she confessed to herself.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
one of four equal parts
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
on the contrary
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
worried and uneasy
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
shufflingnounUS /ˈʃʌflɪŋ/
walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
slapdashadverbUS /ˈslæpdæʃ/
in a careless or reckless manner
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
stampsnounUS /stæmps/
plural of “stamp” — the distinctive form in which a thing is made
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
not in physical motion
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm plain, and there's no blinking the fact," she confessed to herself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
untidyadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪdi/
not neat and tidy
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
the act of using
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
Vere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Gascoyne Girls At fourteen and a quarter Gwen Gascoyne was at a particularly difficult and hobbledehoy stage of her development.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Gwen could never keep still for five seconds, her restless hands were always fidgeting or her feet shuffling, or she was twisting in her chair, or shaking back a loose untidy lock that had escaped from her ribbon.
at the time that
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was tall for her age, and rather awkward in her manners, apt at present to be slapdash and independent, and decidedly lacking in "that repose which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere".
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Gwen often did her hair without the aid of a looking-glass, but when she happened to use one the reflection of her own face gave her little cause for satisfaction.
