used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Morland could give her little assistance.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading THAT autumn pressed heavily upon Mrs. Hardacre.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Mrs. Hardacre began to feel helpless.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
CornwallnounUS /ˈkɔːrnwɔːl/
a hilly county in southwestern England
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Morland could give her little assistance.
Deering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
at any time
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Mrs. Hardacre began to feel helpless.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Morland could give her little assistance.
the act of departing
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
Hardacre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THAT autumn pressed heavily upon Mrs. Hardacre.
to a considerable degree
From this reading THAT autumn pressed heavily upon Mrs. Hardacre.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading Mrs. Hardacre began to feel helpless.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
indefinitelyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdefənətli/
to an indefinite extent; for an indefinite time
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
the literary culture
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Morland could give her little assistance.
mainlyadverbUS /ˈmeɪnli/
for the most part
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
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 It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
maternaladjectiveUS /məˈtɜːrnəl/
characteristic of a mother
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
Morland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Morland could give her little assistance.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading THAT autumn pressed heavily upon Mrs. Hardacre.
NormanounUS /ˈnɔːrmə/
a small constellation in the southern hemisphere near Lupus and Ara in the Milky Way
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
Norma's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
post-card
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
compacted by ironing
From this reading THAT autumn pressed heavily upon Mrs. Hardacre.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
repliesnounUS /rɪˈplaɪz/
plural of “reply” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THAT autumn pressed heavily upon Mrs. Hardacre.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THAT autumn pressed heavily upon Mrs. Hardacre.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Norma's engagement, without being broken off, was indefinitely suspended, and Norma, by going abroad with Mrs. Deering immediately on her return from Cornwall, had placed herself beyond reach of maternal influence.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading It is true that Mrs. Hardacre wrote many letters; but as Norma's replies mainly consisted of a line or two on a picture post-card, it is to be doubted whether she ever read them.
