Chapter XXXI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

matters of personal concern

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

anew

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

a medicine used to relieve pain

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

a member of a people of unknown origin living in the western Pyrenees in France and Spain

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

a sheer fabric of silk or rayon

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

past form of “congratulate” — say something to someone that expresses praise

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

(of a garment) having a low-cut neckline

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

accept an excuse for

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

associated with women and not with men

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

inflected form of “forswear” — formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

a long, loose outer garment

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

a formal or official examination

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

engage in

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

plural of “nun” — a woman religious

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

and nothing more

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

meant or adapted for an occasion or use

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

express a supposition

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

carry out

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

plural of “use” — the act of using

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "I suppose," said the Reverend Mother, making her turn round and round for inspection, "that this is what they call in the world a decollete basque, is it not?

at the time that

From this reading Not only the older girls, but more than one of the nuns, made some excuse to come into Joan's little room when she was dressing that Saturday evening.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

during the time that

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They took, too, a quite feminine pleasure in Joan's frock, a simple black chiffon with transparent sleeves, which she had cut out a little at the neck to make it suitable for the evening.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading While they themselves had forsworn the pleasures of the world, they were quite aware that for some these had their uses, if only as an anodyne.

characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world

From this reading The rumor had gone forth that their charge was beginning to take interest in worldly affairs again, and the good ladies congratulated each other.