used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
anew
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
alertnessnounUS /əˈlɜːrtnəs/
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
(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 Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
Bess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
candlesticknounUS /ˈkændəlstɪk/
a holder with sockets for candles
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
put or send forth
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
deepenedverbUS /ˈdiːpənd/
past form of “deepen” — make more intense, stronger, or more marked
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
distrustnounUS /dɪˈstrʌst/
doubt about someone's honesty
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
at any time
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
firelightnoun
the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
glancesnounUS /ˈɡlænsɪz/
plural of “glance” — a quick look
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
indefiniteadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdefənət/
vague or not clearly defined or stated
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
ingle-nook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
Isaac's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
mantle-shelf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
monologuenounUS /ˈmɑːnəlɔːɡ/
speech you make to yourself
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
not in physical motion
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
noddingadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
pulsesnounUS /ˈpʌlsɪz/
plural of “pulse” — (electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
quickenedverbUS /ˈkwɪkənd/
past form of “quicken” — move faster
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
with low volume
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
reminiscencesnounUS /ˌreməˈnɪsənsɪz/
plural of “reminiscence” — a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
silveryadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlvəri/
resembling or reminiscent of silver
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
stoolnounUS /stuːl/
a simple seat without a back or arms
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Bess had been sitting motionless all through the old man’s monologue, her brows contracted, and an expression of alertness on her face.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
Ursula
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading Bess had caught a vague and indefinite sound that had quickened her pulses and deepened her distrust.
precisely as stated
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ursula was half asleep in the ingle-nook, nodding her head mechanically over her brother’s reminiscences.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her eyes were fixed upon the door opening upon the stairs, though she cast rapid glances ever and again at Isaac’s countenance shining in the firelight under his silvery hair.
yawnedverbUS /jɔːnd/
past form of “yawn” — utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired
From this reading She rose up very quietly from her stool, yawned, and reached for the brass candlestick upon the mantle-shelf.
