used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
matters of personal concern
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
(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 Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
a quantity of money
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
the two together, not just one
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
ByrdnounUS /bɜːrd/
English organist and composer of church music; master of 16th century polyphony; was granted a monopoly in music printing with Thomas Tallis (1543-1623)
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
a female human offspring
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
diplomaticadjectiveUS /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk/
relating to or characteristic of diplomacy
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
Eleanor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
Elsa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
to an extreme degree
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
a social unit living together
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
set up or found
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
coins made of gold
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
grappleverbUS /ˈɡræpəl/
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
hooksnounUS /hʊks/
large strong hand (as of a fighter)
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
and nothing more
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
engage in
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
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 Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
as might be expected
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
not any; not one
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
on one occasion
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
Pratt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
Pratts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
SenatornounUS /ˈsenətər/
a member of a senate
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
senator'snounUS /ˈsenətərz/
possessive form of “senator” — a member of a senate
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
sinecurenoun
a benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
in the near future
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
thirteennounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading These circles, although really little if any better than those to which they had access, naturally became at once exceedingly desirable to both Mrs. Pratt and her daughter.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
the topmost one of two
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As Miss Eleanor Byrd soon found, her duties as social secretary to Miss Pratt were no sinecure.
at the time that
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Especially did they desire, as all Washington women do, to get into the diplomatic set, and when chance--they thought it was chance--threw the Countess Elsa in their way, they were ready to grapple her to themselves with hooks of steel--or gold.
a late time of life
From this reading The Pratts had been in Washington thirteen years, the Senator having just started on his third term in the upper house of the national government, but they had not cared much for social affairs until their daughter was ready to make her bow to society.
but in spite of that
From this reading Then they discovered, to their amazement, that while they could command a certain amount of consideration as a senator’s family, there were yet many circles into which they could not penetrate.
