used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
affectationnounUS /ˌæfekˈteɪʃən/
a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
alleybi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a matter of fact, Miss Climpson had become genuinely interested in the girl.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading As a matter of fact, Miss Climpson had become genuinely interested in the girl.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
Climpson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
dissatisfactionnounUS /ˌdɪsætɪˈsfækʃən/
the feeling of being displeased and discontent
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading As a matter of fact, Miss Climpson had become genuinely interested in the girl.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
Findlater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
genuinelyadverbUS /ˈdʒenjəwənli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading As a matter of fact, Miss Climpson had become genuinely interested in the girl.
a young female
From this reading As a matter of fact, Miss Climpson had become genuinely interested in the girl.
gushverbUS /ɡʌʃ/
gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
indicatedverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtəd/
past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading As a matter of fact, Miss Climpson had become genuinely interested in the girl.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading As a matter of fact, Miss Climpson had become genuinely interested in the girl.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
narrownessnounUS /ˈneroʊnəs/
the property of being narrow; having little width
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
parrot-repetition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
Peter'snounUS /ˈpiːtərz/
possessive form of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
Pickwick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
Sammy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
an educational institution
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
shibboleths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
sleuthsnounUS /sluːθs/
plural of “sleuth” — a detective who follows a trail
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
spinsternounUS /ˈspɪnstər/
an elderly unmarried woman
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
symptomsnounUS /ˈsɪmptəmz/
plural of “symptom” — (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
talismannounUS /ˈtæl.ɪz.mən/
An object, such as an inscribed ring or stone, thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck.
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miss Climpson, most faithful of sleuths, and carrying Lord Peter’s letter of instructions in the pocket of her skirt like a talisman, had asked the youngest Miss Findlater to tea.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
unhappinessnounUS /ənˈhæpinɪs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
vorn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Silly affectation and gush, and a parrot-repetition of the shibboleths of the modern school were symptoms that the experienced spinster well understood.
Whittaker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They indicated, she thought, a real unhappiness, a real dissatisfaction with the narrowness of life in a country town.
youngestadjectiveUS /ˈjʌŋɡəst/
superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “_Oh, Sammy, Sammy, why vorn’t there an alleybi?_” _Pickwick Papers_ Miss Whittaker and the youngest Miss Findlater had returned from their expedition.
