used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
how long something has existed
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
Arnold'snounUS /ˈɑːrnəldz/
possessive form of “arnold” — English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
bareheadedadjective
having the head uncovered
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
CapenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
put or send forth
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
chillingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪlɪŋ/
provoking fear terror
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
coldlyadverbUS /ˈkoʊldli/
lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
continuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəsli/
at every point
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
cruellyadverbUS /ˈkruːli/
excessively
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
drivesnounUS /draɪvz/
plural of “drive” — the act of applying force to propel something
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
drizzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪzəlɪŋ/
(of rain) falling lightly in very small drops
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
elfishly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
FebruarynounUS /ˈfebjəweri/
the month following January and preceding March
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
finerynounUS /ˈfaɪnəri/
elaborate or showy attire and accessories
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
moving swiftly
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
held up in the air
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
marrownounUS /ˈmeroʊ/
the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
mistyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsti/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
not any; not one
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
not divisible by two
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
pitilessadjectiveUS /ˈpɪtiləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
rentverbUS /rent/
let for money
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
scantadjectiveUS /skænt/
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
sunlessadjective
filled or abounding with clouds
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
tatteredadjectiveUS /ˈtætərd/
worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "I am a fool to come out in such stormy weather!" this odd creature muttered to herself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
precisely as stated
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
wanderverbUS /ˈwɑːndər/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
which person or people
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading "What is it that drives me out of my sick bed to wander here in the rain and wind before Francis Arnold's house?
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading February winds blew coldly over the sea at Cape May, the day was bleak and sunless, a misty, drizzling rain fell slowly but continuously, chilling the very marrow of one's bones.
witch-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But up and down the beach, before the closed mansion of Sea View, walked a weird, strange figure, bareheaded in the pitiless war of the elements, bowed and bent by age, clothed in rent and tattered finery, with scant, gray locks flying elfishly in the breeze that blew strongly and cruelly enough to have lifted the little, witch-like form and cast it into the sea.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading No one who could have helped it would have cared to venture out in such dreary, uncomfortable, depressing weather.
