used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
akinadjectiveUS /əˈkɪn/
similar in quality or character
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
bitterestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪtərəst/
superlative of “bitter” — marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading This was the most inveterate and bitterest scandal-monger in the town.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
Colonel'snounUS /ˈkɜːrnəlz/
possessive form of “colonel” — a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
put on clothes
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
handsomelyadverbUS /ˈhænsəmli/
in an attractively handsome manner
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This was the most inveterate and bitterest scandal-monger in the town.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
inveterateadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvetərət/
habitual
From this reading This was the most inveterate and bitterest scandal-monger in the town.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
full of life and energy
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
magpienounUS /ˈmæɡpaɪ/
long-tailed black-and-white crow that utters a raucous chattering call
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
morallyadverbUS /ˈmɔːrəli/
with respect to moral principles
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
used to form the superlative
From this reading This was the most inveterate and bitterest scandal-monger in the town.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
something you have to do
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
many times at short intervals
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
and nothing more
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
perpetuallyadverbUS /pərˈpetʃuːəli/
everlastingly; for all time
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
Petrovna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
physicallyadverbUS /ˈfɪzɪkəli/
in accord with physical laws
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
rustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/
make a dry crackling sound
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
scandal-monger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was the most inveterate and bitterest scandal-monger in the town.
scratchedverbUS /skrætʃt/
past form of “scratch” — cause friction
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
be seated
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
Sophia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
refrain from harming
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
sparrownounUS /ˈsperoʊ/
any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
be standing; be upright
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
not in physical motion
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
summersnounUS /ˈsʌmərz/
plural of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
Tarpuchin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading This was the most inveterate and bitterest scandal-monger in the town.
tribenounUS /traɪb/
a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
viewedverbUS /vjuːd/
past form of “view” — deem to be
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Colonel Tarpuchin, or Sophia Petrovna, was only morally like a magpie; she was more akin to the sparrow tribe, viewed physically.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading She took her stand on the fact that she was a Colonel’s wife, though she often fought with her husband, the Colonel, and scratched his face handsomely on such occasions.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
wizenedadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzənd/
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading On her little wizened body and spare limbs she wore a black silk dress, which was perpetually on the rustle: for this little woman could never sit still for an instant.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading She was a little bit of a woman of fifty summers or so, with lively eyes, and yellow patches all over her face.
