used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
on or to one side
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I thought you would be late," said Mrs. Morton.
put or send forth
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
crotchetnoun
a sharp curve or crook; a shape resembling a hook
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
cultnounUS /kʌlt/
followers of an exclusive system of beliefs and practices
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
curvedadjectiveUS /kɜːrvd/
having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
decorousadjectiveUS /ˈdekərəs/
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "I did my hair three times.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading "I did my hair three times.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I thought you would be late," said Mrs. Morton.
imminencenounUS /ˈɪmənəns/
the state of being imminent and liable to happen soon
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading "I thought you would be late," said Mrs. Morton.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
ministrantnoun
someone who serves as a minister
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
mobileadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊbəl/
migratory
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
MortonnounUS /ˈmɔːrtən/
United States jazz musician who moved from ragtime to New Orleans jazz (1885-1941)
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I did my hair three times.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
rosily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I thought you would be late," said Mrs. Morton.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
satinnounUS /ˈsætən/
a smooth fabric of silk or rayon; has a glossy face and a dull back
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
with low volume
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
not in physical motion
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
tea-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
TheresanounUS /tərˈiːsə/
Indian nun and missionary in the Roman Catholic Church (born of Albanian parents in what is now Macedonia); dedicated to helping the poor in India (1910-1997)
From this reading As Theresa entered the drawing-room on the following afternoon, she felt the imminence of ceremony.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "I thought you would be late," said Mrs. Morton.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "I did my hair three times.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading "I did my hair three times.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She closed the door with a decorous quiet and advanced, her mouth curved into the faint smile that had some mobile quality though the lips were still.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Morton had cast aside her crotchet and sat, in satin and old lace, awaiting the coming of her guests; and the room, softly and rosily shaded, seemed to Theresa like a temple raised to the social cult, with the tea-table for altar and Mrs. Morton for ministrant.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "I thought you would be late," said Mrs. Morton.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I thought you would be late," said Mrs. Morton.
