Chapter IX

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

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

the state of being absent

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

confined by bonds

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading Presently the singing ceased.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

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

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

without deviation

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

-ing form of “encounter” — come together

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

a movement into or inward

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

possessive form of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

a social unit living together

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

without a sound

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

above and across; more than

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

in the near future

From this reading Presently the singing ceased.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

with speed

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

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

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

start suddenly, as from fright

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Presently the singing ceased.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

having no precedent; novel

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Rhoda ran as quickly and noiselessly as she could along the passage, and half-way up the stairs.

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

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

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

From this reading Rhoda felt shy of entering into the midst of the people assembled, and of encountering the questions and expressions of surprise which her unprecedented absence from the evening's devotions would certainly occasion.

which person or people

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Rhoda stood with her hand on the parlour-door for a minute or so.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Little Sarah, the servant-maid, who had admitted her into the house, and had left the parlour in order to do so--for all the Maxfield household was held bound to join in these weekly prayer-meetings--told her that the hymn would be over directly.