used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
(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 But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MOTHER AND SON.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Overhead were her sleeping children, she alone, watchful and anxious.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
brandsnounUS /brændz/
plural of “brand” — a name given to a product or service
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
lacking funds
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Overhead were her sleeping children, she alone, watchful and anxious.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
flaggingnounUS /ˈflæɡɪŋ/
flagstones collectively
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
GilmannounUS /ˈɡɪlmən/
United States feminist (1860-1935)
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
heaviestadjectiveUS /ˈheviəst/
superlative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE MOTHER AND SON.
mouldered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
OverheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Overhead were her sleeping children, she alone, watchful and anxious.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
purrverbUS /pɜːr/
make a soft swishing sound
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
rednessnounUS /ˈrednəs/
a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Overhead were her sleeping children, she alone, watchful and anxious.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
a male human offspring
From this reading THE MOTHER AND SON.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MOTHER AND SON.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
tickingnounUS /ˈtɪkɪŋ/
a metallic tapping sound
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading As she sat alone by the broad flagging of the hearth, she could hear the heavy breathing of her husband in the next room, the ceaseless ticking of the clock, the purr of the cat, in its warm corner by the ashes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Overhead were her sleeping children, she alone, watchful and anxious.
weighedverbUS /weɪd/
past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Overhead were her sleeping children, she alone, watchful and anxious.
at the time that
From this reading But this was not the thought that weighed heaviest, when all but Mrs. Gilman had forgotten their plans and their pleasures in sleep.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Slowly the old clock marked the passing hour, the brands mouldered with a dim redness, then broke, and fell with a shower of sparks upon the hearth.
