used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
highly skilled
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
beholdingnounUS /bɪˈhoʊldɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
bodicenounUS /ˈbɑːdɪs/
part of a dress above the waist
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/
touched lightly in passing; grazed against
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
clothes-brush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
being joined in close association
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
cubiclenounUS /ˈkjuːbɪkəl/
small room in which a monk or nun lives
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
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 When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
immaculatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmækjələtli/
in an immaculate manner
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
engage in
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
nickedverbUS /nɪkt/
past form of “nick” — cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
not any; not one
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading THE RECORD WALL.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
Rhoda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
an educational institution
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
steppingverbUS /ˈstepɪŋ/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
successive (without a break)
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
surprisesnounUS /sərˈpraɪzɪz/
plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RECORD WALL.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It seemed on the face of it that one could do nothing, but the other girls had accomplished a great deal more than this.
tidyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪdi/
marked by order and cleanliness in appearance or habits
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
tienounUS /taɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading THE RECORD WALL.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
washedadjectiveUS /wɑːʃt/
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
at the time that
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Rhoda never forgot the shock of dismay which she experienced on first stepping forth, and beholding them.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading There was no end to the surprises of that wonderful school!
wriggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Rhoda returned to her cubicle to get "tidy" for dinner, she washed, brushed her hair, put an extra pin in her tie to make sure that it was straight, wriggled round before the glass to see that belt and bodice were immaculately connected, put a clean handkerchief in her pocket, nicked the clothes-brush over her skirt, and, what could one do more?
