used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
agitatingadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəteɪtɪŋ/
causing or tending to cause anger or resentment
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
attendingnounUS /əˈtendɪŋ/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading She knew her mother so intimately that she was aware that the communication must be deferred.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She knew her mother so intimately that she was aware that the communication must be deferred.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But on coming into her mother's presence she saw that the time was unpropitious.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading But on coming into her mother's presence she saw that the time was unpropitious.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading She knew her mother so intimately that she was aware that the communication must be deferred.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
a state at a particular time
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
confideverbUS /kənˈfaɪd/
reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
a small house with a single story
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
deferredverbUS /dɪˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “defer” — hold back to a later time
From this reading She knew her mother so intimately that she was aware that the communication must be deferred.
dubiousadjectiveUS /ˈduːbiəs/
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
incapableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkeɪpəbəl/
(followed by “of”) lacking capacity or ability
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
intimatelyadverbUS /ˈɪntəmətli/
in a close manner
From this reading She knew her mother so intimately that she was aware that the communication must be deferred.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
irrationaladjectiveUS /ˌɪˈræʃənəl/
not consistent with or using reason
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew her mother so intimately that she was aware that the communication must be deferred.
MarleynounUS /ˈmɑːrli/
Jamaican singer who popularized reggae (1945-1981)
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading But on coming into her mother's presence she saw that the time was unpropitious.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She knew her mother so intimately that she was aware that the communication must be deferred.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading But on coming into her mother's presence she saw that the time was unpropitious.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
producesnounUS /prəˈduːsəz/
plural of “produce” — fresh fruits and vegetable grown for the market
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
purposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
Rattenbury's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
reasoningnounUS /ˈriːzənɪŋ/
thinking that is coherent and logical
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
cut with a saw
From this reading But on coming into her mother's presence she saw that the time was unpropitious.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She knew her mother so intimately that she was aware that the communication must be deferred.
express in words
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But on coming into her mother's presence she saw that the time was unpropitious.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But on coming into her mother's presence she saw that the time was unpropitious.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
unhinges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
unpropitiousadjective
not propitious
From this reading But on coming into her mother's presence she saw that the time was unpropitious.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
look attentively
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She had purposed to confide everything to her mother, to tell her about the present of the watch and of what she had overheard.
at the time that
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
which person or people
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mrs. Marley was one of those persons who, when possessed by an idea, and that one of an exciting nature, are incapable of attending to any other, or on whom the communication of another of agitating nature completely unhinges the reasoning faculties and produces an irrational explosion of feeling.
Winefred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY NIGHT On her return to Rattenbury's cottage, Winefred was thrown into a dubious condition of mind.
