used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
befitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
boardersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “boarder” — a tenant in someone's house
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
buyingnounUS /ˈbaɪɪŋ/
the act of buying
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
clothing in general
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
couplesnounUS /ˈkʌpəlz/
plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
economizeverbUS /ɪˈkɑːnəmaɪz/
use cautiously and frugally
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
divisible by two
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
expensenounUS /ɪkˈspens/
amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
Fenie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
frocknounUS /frɑːk/
a long, loose outer garment
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading THE MISSING GUEST.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
housekeepernounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpər/
a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
take the midday meal
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
not able to be found
From this reading THE MISSING GUEST.
moaningverbUS /ˈmoʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “moan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
newestadjectiveUS /ˈnuːəst/
superlative of “new” — not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
out-of-the-wayadjective
exceptional, unusual, or remarkable
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
prudentadjectiveUS /ˈpruːdənt/
careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
regardlessadverbUS /rəˈɡɑːrdləs/
in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
carry out
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MISSING GUEST.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
Trif
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
Trixy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
at the time that
From this reading Nevertheless, she arranged for a lunch party regardless of expense, as befitted an occasion when two happy couples, newly made so, were to be her guests.
in or at the place that
From this reading She would economize in any and every way; she would let her house, furnished, for a few months, and take Trixy and Fenie and herself to some out-of-the-way place where everything was cheap, and the other boarders would not know her old clothes from the newest.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading As Trif was a prudent wife and housekeeper, she had been moaning to herself for days about the expense of the Southern trip.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She promised herself that she would pay for it by not buying a single new article of clothing, not even a new frock, for the coming season.
