Chapter III

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

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

(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 To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

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

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

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

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

indicating a lack of maturity

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

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

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

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

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

plural of “darling” — a special loved one

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

plural of “description” — a statement that represents something in words

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “HOW TO DO IT.”

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

past form of “freshen” — make (to feel) fresh

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

United States jurist and chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1833-1910)

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

a person of German nationality

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

plural of “gift” — something acquired without compensation

From this reading Then the gifts, too.

a young female

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

plural of “glory” — a state of high honor

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

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

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

a German man; used before the name as a title equivalent to Mr in English

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

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

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

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

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading “HOW TO DO IT.”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

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

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “HOW TO DO IT.”

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

set afire or burning

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

engage in

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

not any; not one

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

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

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

on one occasion

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

and nothing more

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

communicate vividly

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

plural of “recollection” — the ability to recall past occurrences

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

possessing material wealth

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

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

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

in an affectionate or loving manner (“sweet” is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of “sweetly”)

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the gifts, too.

in or at that place or location

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

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

From this reading “HOW TO DO IT.”

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Then the gifts, too.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

which person or people

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.

belonging to which person

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading As the days passed, and Christmas-tide drew nearer, Berty’s wish gained fuller and fuller possession of her childish heart.

in the company of; together with

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

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

From this reading How bright and cheerful the old garret would appear, lighted up by the glories of such a tree as the Westermann’s, for Bertha’s dim German recollections were wonderfully freshened by Gottlieb’s descriptions; how her mother would smile from her sweet rest in Paradise upon the little pale girl to whose feeble care she had, with such a failing heart, committed her little ones; how sweetly her father would sleep in his bed there under the sea, if he knew how happy his darlings were made.

but in spite of that

From this reading To get a Christmas tree for these poor little children, who had no father or mother, who had “only Bert,”—to make them for once perfectly happy, as happy as rich Herr Westermann’s boys and girls,—and to do this all herself,—how delightful, and yet how impossible the project seemed.