acheverbUS /eɪk/
feel physical pain
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
(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 There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
annoyancenounUS /əˈnɔɪəns/
the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
any person at all
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
chimedverbUS /tʃaɪmd/
past form of “chime” — emit a sound
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
exploitsnounUS /ˈeksplɔɪts/
plural of “exploit” — a notable achievement
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
death of a person
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
the act of departing
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
lovableadjectiveUS /ˈlʌvəbəl/
having characteristics that attract love or affection
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
Mildred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
used to form the superlative
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
not in physical motion
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
like better; value more highly
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
Robbie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
sillnounUS /sɪl/
structural member consisting of a continuous horizontal timber forming the lowest member of a framework or supporting structure
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
express in speech
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
stupefiedadjective
as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
tidingsnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
a source of difficulty
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
on a floor above
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
precisely as stated
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
at the time that
From this reading Miss Margaret looked very grave, but she said little, and did not attempt to follow when Mildred fled upstairs, leaving the letter in her hands.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was true that Robbie had caused more trouble than his five sisters put together, but his exploits had been of an innocent, lovable nature, and when the temporary annoyance which they caused was over, she and her mother had laughed over them with tender pride.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
window-seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She lay motionless on the window-seat, her head resting on the open sill, the summer breeze stirring the curls on her forehead, while the clock in the hall chimed one hour after another, and the morning crept slowly away.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For the most part she felt stupefied, as if she could not realise all that the tidings meant, but every now and then her heart swelled with an intolerable ache.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading There are times when we all prefer to be alone, and this morning Mildred could not have brought herself to speak to anyone in the world but her mother.
