aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading THE RETURN FROM THE WEST It was October already.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
batteningverbUS /ˈbætənɪŋ/
-ing form of “batten” — furnish with battens
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
having the place or position changed
From this reading They even disturbed Lena's nerves.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
divisible by two
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
at any time
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE RETURN FROM THE WEST It was October already.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
ineffectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəˈfektʃuːəl/
not producing an intended effect
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE RETURN FROM THE WEST It was October already.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
LenanounUS /ˈliːnə/
a Russian river in Siberia; flows northward into the Laptev Sea
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
Lena'snounUS /ˈliːnəz/
possessive form of “lena” — a Russian river in Siberia; flows northward into the Laptev Sea
From this reading They even disturbed Lena's nerves.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
madlyadverbUS /ˈmædli/
in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading They even disturbed Lena's nerves.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading THE RETURN FROM THE WEST It was October already.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
pattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE RETURN FROM THE WEST It was October already.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
done under pressure
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
the act of searching for something
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
shiveredverbUS /ˈʃɪvərd/
past form of “shiver” — tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
skirled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
steelyadjectiveUS /ˈstiːli/
resembling steel as in hardness
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RETURN FROM THE WEST It was October already.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
bound or secured closely
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
uneasilyadverbUS /əˈniːzəli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
veather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
vendingnounUS /ˈvendɪŋ/
the act of selling goods for a living
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE RETURN FROM THE WEST It was October already.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE RETURN FROM THE WEST It was October already.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
at the time that
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Lena, making ineffectual war upon fallen leaves, could not even keep the porch free from them, and they skirled and whirled and gently slid and madly rushed, while in the house their movement could be distinctly heard like light pattering footsteps, ever seeking, never resting.
a Caucasian
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The old White house stood and shivered when the wind came sharp from the steely river.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading She looked about uneasily, while Dorothy laughed as they tied up each other's fingers, for they had been engaged in what Lena called "veather vending," and what Dorothy called "battening" the windows in her mother's room.
