adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
absorbingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
BiblenounUS /ˈbaɪbəl/
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
bloodnounUS /blʌd/
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
carenounUS /ker/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading He really did not seem to care whether he had a practice or not.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
drawverbUS /drɔː/
cause to move by pulling
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdredfəl/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
earsnounUS /ɪrz/
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
embroiderynounUS /emˈbrɔɪdəri/
elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
footstepsnounUS /ˈfʊtsteps/
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He really did not seem to care whether he had a practice or not.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
householdnounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊld/
a social unit living together
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
imaginedverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənd/
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
kneenounUS /niː/
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
knocksnounUS /nɑːks/
plural of “knock” — the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
LettingnounUS /ˈletɪŋ/
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
listenverbUS /ˈlɪsən/
hear with intention
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
meanwhileadverbUS /ˈmiːnwaɪl/
at the same time but in another place
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
notesnounUS /noʊts/
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He really did not seem to care whether he had a practice or not.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
patientsnounUS /ˈpeɪʃənts/
plural of “patient” — a person who requires medical care
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
payingadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪɪŋ/
yielding a fair profit
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
pinchedadjectiveUS /pɪntʃt/
sounding as if the nose were pinched
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
practicenounUS /ˈpræktəs/
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading He really did not seem to care whether he had a practice or not.
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːspərəs/
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
quietlyadverbUS /ˈkwaɪətli/
with low volume
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading He really did not seem to care whether he had a practice or not.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
safelyadverbUS /ˈseɪfli/
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
sangnounUS /sæŋ/
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He really did not seem to care whether he had a practice or not.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
shutverbUS /ʃʌt/
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
soulnounUS /soʊl/
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
stitchnounUS /stɪtʃ/
a link or loop or knot made by an implement in knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or sewing
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
tidenounUS /taɪd/
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
tracenounUS /treɪs/
a just detectable amount
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Polly had no such absorbing occupation to tide her over these empty days of waiting; and sometimes--especially late in the afternoon, when her household duties were done, the children safely at play--she found it beyond her power to stitch quietly at her embroidery.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He really did not seem to care whether he had a practice or not.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And meanwhile Richard was shut up in his room, making those dreadful notes in the Bible which it pinched her heart even to think of.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
window-curtain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And did she draw back the window-curtain and look out, there was not a soul to be seen: not a trace of the string of prosperous, paying patients she had once imagined winding their way to the door.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Letting the canvas fall to her knee, she would listen, listen, listen till the blood sang in her ears, for the footsteps and knocks at the door that never came.
