used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
in actual fact
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
of short duration or distance
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
convent-bred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
crowdsnounUS /kraʊdz/
plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
Darcy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
a female human offspring
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
Effie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
episodenounUS /ˈepəsoʊd/
a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
fastidiousadjectiveUS /fæˈstɪdiəs/
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
frigidlyadverb
without warmth or enthusiasm
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
a young female
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
only a very short time before
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
hecticadjectiveUS /ˈhektɪk/
marked by intense agitation or emotion
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
holidaynounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
melodramanounUS /ˈmelədrɑːmə/
an extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
participatingadjectiveUS /pɑːrˈtɪsəpeɪtɪŋ/
taking part in an activity
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
pistol-shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
racesnounUS /ˈreɪsəz/
plural of “race” — any competition
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
express in words
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She could not believe that she, Joan Darcy, convent-bred, the daughter of reserved and fastidious people, could be actually participating in this impossible melodrama.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
unrealadjectiveUS /ənˈriːl/
lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
precisely as stated
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "What my father would wish hardly matters now, I think," she said, more frigidly than she realized.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading To the girl the whole episode seemed unreal, part of that strange day, with the holiday crowds, the brief, hectic excitement of the races, followed by the pistol-shot that meant the death of a ruined old woman.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
you've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I guess you've got to have the whole story now, though it ain't a very pretty story to tell a girl," said Effie May wearily.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't know as your papa would much want you to hear it, Joan...."
