Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

(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 Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

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

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

plural of “ankle” — a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

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

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

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

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

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

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

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

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

plural of “blast” — a very long fly ball

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept

From this reading A hidden well was throbbing in the child's bosom.

plural of “chest” — the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading A hidden well was throbbing in the child's bosom.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

plural of “church” — one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

plural of “cough” — a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

past form of “dangle” — hang freely

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

resembling or characteristic of a phantom

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

the act of giving

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

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

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

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

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

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

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

not accessible to view

From this reading A hidden well was throbbing in the child's bosom.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

a humming noise

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

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

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

not subject to the control of the will

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

staying power

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

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

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

the force of workers available

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

plural of “neck” — the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

above and across; more than

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

one of the 150 lyrical poems and prayers that comprise the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament; said to have been written by David

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

easily perceived; easy to become aware of

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

only a very short time before

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

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

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

bypass

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

move an implement through

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

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

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)

From this reading A hidden well was throbbing in the child's bosom.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

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

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

extremely painful

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

soldiers collectively

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

precisely as stated

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

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

From this reading A hidden well was throbbing in the child's bosom.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading A hidden well was throbbing in the child's bosom.

which person or people

From this reading Annie, who had been very happy all the time, began to be aware of something more at hand.

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

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

pull back or move away or backward

From this reading Winter had begun to withdraw his ghostly troops, and Glamerton began to grow warmer.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Not half so many cold feet dangled from the cold legs of little children in the torturing churches; not half so many coughs tore the chests of the poor old men and women as they stooped over their little fires, with the blasts from door and window-sill in their ankles and the backs of their necks.

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

From this reading A flutter scarcely recognizable, as of the wings of awaking delight, would stir her little heart with a sensation of physical presence and motion; she would find herself giving an involuntary skip as she walked along, and now and then humming a bit of a psalm tune.