used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A stranger rescued May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to their fiery death.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A stranger rescued May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to their fiery death.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
the act of burning something
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
a female human offspring
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading A stranger rescued May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to their fiery death.
down-town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
earthquakenounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
ELLEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
FerryverbUS /ˈferi/
transport from one place to another
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
fiercelyadverbUS /ˈfɪrsli/
in a physically fierce manner
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading A stranger rescued May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to their fiery death.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
housedverbUS /haʊzd/
past form of “house” — contain or cover
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
a social unit living together
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
immediately past
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A stranger rescued May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to their fiery death.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
come together
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
morning'snounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
possessive form of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
Nell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
Nell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
pinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading A stranger rescued May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to their fiery death.
rescuedadjectiveUS /ˈreskjuːd/
delivered from danger
From this reading A stranger rescued May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to their fiery death.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading A stranger rescued May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to their fiery death.
the rays of the sun
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A stranger rescued May Nell, though her aunt and cousin had to be left behind, pinned to their fiery death.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FAIR ELLEN Little by little they learned something of May Nell’s story.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
in or at the place that
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
which person or people
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
widowedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪdoʊd/
single because of death of the spouse
From this reading Mrs. Smith, though held to the last by household business, had let her little daughter go to visit a widowed aunt and cousin, who lived in a down-town hotel, and who were to bring May Nell to meet her mother at the Ferry Building the next morning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading But where at night had stood the hotel with its many human lives housed within, the next morning’s sunshine fell upon a heap of ruins burning fiercely.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading Her mother had intended to start for New York on the morning of the earthquake, having been called there by her own mother’s illness.
