used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
accusesverbUS /əˈkjuːzɪz/
third-person singular of “accuse” — bring an accusation against; level a charge against
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
adroitlyadverbUS /əˈdrɔɪtli/
with adroitness; in an adroit manner
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
acted upon; influenced
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
in the past
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
apronnounUS /ˈeɪprən/
a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
atmosphericadjectiveUS /ˌætməˈsferɪk/
relating to or located in the atmosphere
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
plural of “call” — a telephone connection
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Muriel, where can I find Miss Dexter?"
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
DexteradjectiveUS /ˈdekstər/
on or starting from the wearer's right
From this reading "Muriel, where can I find Miss Dexter?"
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
embroideredverbUS /emˈbrɔɪdərd/
past form of “embroider” — decorate with needlework
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "Muriel, where can I find Miss Dexter?"
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
gayety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
destroyed or killed
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
governessnounUS /ˈɡʌvərnəs/
a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
hippocrene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Muriel, where can I find Miss Dexter?"
improprietiesnounUS /ˌɪmprəˈpraɪətiz/
plural of “impropriety” — an improper demeanor
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
inquireverbUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪr/
address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
intentionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃənz/
plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
juvenileadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːvənəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
lashesnounUS /ˈlæʃɪz/
plural of “lash” — any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
the literary culture
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
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 "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "Muriel, where can I find Miss Dexter?"
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
Muriel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Muriel, where can I find Miss Dexter?"
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
packagenounUS /ˈpækədʒ/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
peccadilloes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
regaleverbUS /rɪˈɡeɪl/
provide with choice or abundant food or drink
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
suspiciouslyadverbUS /səˈspɪʃəsli/
with suspicion
From this reading "I shall believe that conscience accuses you of many juvenile improprieties, since you so suspiciously attack my motives and intentions.
express in words
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
variancenounUS /ˈveriəns/
an event that departs from expectations
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Muriel adroitly folded her embroidered silk apron over a package of letters that lay in her lap, and affected an air of gayety at variance with her dim eyes and wet lashes.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Muriel, where can I find Miss Dexter?"
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
hope for; have a wish
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading "She went out on the lawn an hour ago, to regale herself with what she calls, 'atmospheric hippocrene,' and I have not heard her come in, though she may have gone to her room.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Pray tell me, doctor, why you wish to see my governess?--to inquire concerning my numerous peccadilloes?"
