used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
react verbally
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it dawned on her very slowly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
carefully weighed
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
daughter'snounUS /ˈdɔːtərz/
possessive form of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading But it dawned on her very slowly.
demandingadjectiveUS /dɪˈmændɪŋ/
requiring more than usually expected or thought due; especially great patience and effort and skill
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
donkeysnounUS /ˈdɑːŋkiz/
plural of “donkey” — the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
divisible by two
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But it dawned on her very slowly.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it dawned on her very slowly.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
not any; not one
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
many times at short intervals
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But it dawned on her very slowly.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
a human being
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
recallingverbUS /rɪˈkɔːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
To recall to mind.
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
rightlyadverbUS /ˈraɪtli/
with honesty
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
without speaking
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading But it dawned on her very slowly.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
the season of growth
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
successive (without a break)
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
suspiciouslyadverbUS /səˈspɪʃəsli/
with suspicion
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
hard to endure
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading "But when I mentioned her daughter's name, she became suddenly alert, looking suspiciously at me from under her thick brows.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
precisely as stated
From this reading But it dawned on her very slowly.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
at the time that
From this reading She listened silently, but I was not certain that she rightly understood my meaning, for she nodded continually, even when I asked a question demanding a negative answer.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "She looked straight into my face, evidently trying to remember the person to whom these features and this voice belonged.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "I helped somewhat by recalling to her mind my spring visit, and telling her that since then I had often considered whether or no donkeys would go to heaven, and had never arrived at any conclusion.
