used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
(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 All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
on or to one side
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
down-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
a young female
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
HeronnounUS /ˈherən/
Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
go away from a place
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
the literary culture
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
love-songnoun
a song about love or expressing love for another person
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
masterfuladjectiveUS /ˈmæstərfəl/
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
come together
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
the force of workers available
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
a form of address for a man
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
not any; not one
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
obstaclesnounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəlz/
plural of “obstacle” — something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
self-reliantadjective
(of persons) free from external control and constraint in e.g. action and judgment
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
in the near future
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
Stafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
be standing; be upright
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
stealthilyadverb
in a stealthy manner
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
supremelyadverbUS /suːˈpriːməli/
to the maximum degree
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
possessing sweep
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
undertonenounUS /ˈʌndərtoʊn/
a quiet or hushed tone of voice
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
usesnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
precisely as stated
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
VillanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading That she should meet him she felt quite sure, for he had never failed to leave the gay party at the Villa to come over to her every day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
at the time that
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That morning Ida came down-stairs singing, not loudly, but in the soft undertone which a girl uses when she is supremely happy and she has hopes of seeing the cause of her happiness very soon.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was so strong, so self-reliant, so masterful--though so gentle with her--that surely no obstacles could stand against him.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Perhaps he had spoken to his father, and, in the wonderful way men have, had swept aside all the obstacles which stood against their union.
showing curiosity
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading All through breakfast, while Mr. Heron read his letters, opening them and reading them stealthily as usual, her heart was singing its love-song to her, and she was wondering whether she would meet Stafford by the stream or among the hills.
