used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
abackadverbUS /əˈbæk/
having the wind against the forward side of the sails
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
benefactressnoun
a woman benefactor
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
confined by bonds
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
captorsnounUS /ˈkæptərz/
plural of “captor” — a person who captures and holds people or animals
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
a state at a particular time
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
consentedverbUS /kənˈsentɪd/
past form of “consent” — give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
put on clothes
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
to come or go into
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
fairiesnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
FrognounUS /frɑːɡ/
any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
destroyed or killed
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
only a very short time before
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
go away from a place
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
maiden's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
come together
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
used to form the superlative
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
on one occasion
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
and nothing more
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
persuasionnounUS /pərˈsweɪʒən/
the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
Prince'snounUS /ˈprɪnsɪz/
possessive form of “prince” — a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
with low volume
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
express the need or desire for
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
softenedadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːfənd/
toned down
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This sounded so reasonable and natural that it did not enter the Prince’s head to refuse her request.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
having come into contact
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
vexedadjectiveUS /vekst/
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After a little persuasion the maiden consented, but only on condition that she was allowed first to put on her dress.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
at the time that
From this reading But the maiden’s hand had hardly touched the dress when the palace suddenly awoke from its sleep, and the Prince was seized and bound.
which person or people
From this reading However, what troubled him most was the idea of having to meet the Frog who had been his benefactress.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was so vexed with his own folly, and so taken aback at the disaster, that he did not attempt to explain his conduct, and things would have gone badly with him if his friends the fairies had not softened the hearts of his captors, so that they once more allowed him to leave quietly.
