adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
ARRIVESverbUS /ərˈaɪvz/
third-person singular of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
bric-a-bracnoun
miscellaneous curios
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
chambermaidnoun
a maid who is employed to clean and care for bedrooms (now primarily in hotels)
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
chaperonenounUS /ˈʃæpəroʊn/
one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
claimsnounUS /kleɪmz/
plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
DARLINGnounUS /ˈdɑːrlɪŋ/
a special loved one
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
dustverbUS /dʌst/
remove the dust from
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
fourteen-year-old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
Henderson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
homesickadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmsɪk/
longing to return home
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
KalamazoonounUS /ˌkæləməˈzuː/
a town in southwest Michigan
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
LeenounUS /liː/
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
merelyadverbUS /ˈmɪrli/
and nothing more
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
Messiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
MingnounUS /mɪŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
MISSverbUS /mɪs/
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
preconceivedadjectiveUS /ˌpriːkənˈsiːvd/
(of an idea or opinion) formed beforehand; especially without evidence or through prejudice
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
preferverbUS /prəˈfɜːr/
like better; value more highly
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
proprieties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
reasonsnounUS /ˈriːzənz/
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
respectabilitynounUS /riˌspektəˈbɪlɪti/
honorableness by virtue of being respectable and having a good reputation
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
slippersnounUS /ˈslɪpərz/
plural of “slipper” — low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
slosh-sloshing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To see him slosh-sloshing around in his felt slippers made her homesick for Kalamazoo.
suitverbUS /suːt/
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
systemnounUS /ˈsɪstəm/
instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading It did not suit her preconceived idea of the proper thing that Lee Ming should sweep floors, dust bric-a-brac, and make the beds.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
uncombedadjective
(of hair) not combed
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
unmarriedadjectiveUS /ənˈmerid/
not married or related to the unmarried state
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had with her for the present fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely temporary.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
WestnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
whynounUS /waɪ/
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading MISS DARLING ARRIVES Miss Messiter clung to civilization enough, at least, to prefer that her chambermaid should be a woman rather than a Chinese.
womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading There were other reasons why the proprieties would be better served by having another woman about the place; reasons that had to do with the chaperone system that even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young women of respectability.
