used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TRUCE I Nearly a week passed.
accountsnounUS /əˈkaʊnts/
plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
chordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a straight line connecting two points on a curve
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She had nothing to do.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
put on clothes
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
EdwinnounUS /ˈedwən/
king of Northumbria who was converted to Christianity (585-633)
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
hesitationsnounUS /ˌhezəˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “hesitation” — indecision in speech or action
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
Hilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE TRUCE I Nearly a week passed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
jamverbUS /dʒæm/
press tightly together or cram
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
engage in
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
mendverbUS /mend/
restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading THE TRUCE I Nearly a week passed.
neighbournounUS /ˈneɪbər/
a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
a brief written record
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She had nothing to do.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
overlookverbUS /ˈoʊvərlʊk/
look past, fail to notice
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE TRUCE I Nearly a week passed.
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
past form of “print” — put into print
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
puzzleverbUS /ˈpʌzəl/
be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
stockingsnounUS /ˈstɑːkɪŋz/
plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TRUCE I Nearly a week passed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
TRUCEnounUS /truːs/
a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
From this reading THE TRUCE I Nearly a week passed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE TRUCE I Nearly a week passed.
wenchesnounUS /ˈwentʃɪz/
plural of “wench” — informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading She had not urgent stockings to mend, nor jam to make, nor careless wenches to overlook, nor food to buy, nor accounts to keep, nor a new dress to scheme out of an old one, nor to perform her duty to her neighbour.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Like Edwin, she could not play the piano, but she had picked up a note here and a note there in the course of her life, and with much labour and many slow hesitations she could puzzle out a chord or a melody from the printed page.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Hilda, in the leisure of a woman of fashion after dinner, was at the piano in the drawing-room.
