Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

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

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

later than; following

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

at or in the front

From this reading So Mrs. O'Leary arrived two hours ahead of time and secured her point of vantage.

(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 CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

the table in Christian churches where communion is given

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

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

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading So Mrs. O'Leary arrived two hours ahead of time and secured her point of vantage.

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

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

past form of “banish” — expel from a community or group

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

inflected form of “char” — burn to charcoal

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

past form of “confide” — reveal in private; tell confidentially

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

first in order of birth

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

possessing or exerting or displaying energy

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

divisible by two

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

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

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

dazzlingly beautiful

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

plural of “grandchild” — a child of your son or daughter

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

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

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

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

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading So Mrs. O'Leary arrived two hours ahead of time and secured her point of vantage.

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

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

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

possessive form of “joseph” — leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

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

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

joined in matrimony

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

plural of “misgiving” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

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

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

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

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

keep busy with

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

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

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

a judge of a probate court

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading So Mrs. O'Leary arrived two hours ahead of time and secured her point of vantage.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading So Mrs. O'Leary arrived two hours ahead of time and secured her point of vantage.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

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

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

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

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

in the near future

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

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

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

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

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

in or at that place or location

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading So Mrs. O'Leary arrived two hours ahead of time and secured her point of vantage.

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

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

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading So Mrs. O'Leary arrived two hours ahead of time and secured her point of vantage.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)

From this reading So Mrs. O'Leary arrived two hours ahead of time and secured her point of vantage.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

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

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

at the time that

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

in or at the place that

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

which person or people

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

possessive form of “widow” — a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mrs. O'Leary, grand even in her widow's weeds, had a front seat before St. Joseph's altar, where she could see everything, and crowded into the pew with her were all the little O'Leary's.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading CHARRED WOOD All Sihasset was in the little church next morning.

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

From this reading The old lady had had some misgivings about attending a wedding so soon after her husband's death; but the misgivings were finally banished for--as she confided to the eldest of her grandchildren--"Sure, 'tis Miss Ruth who is gettin' married, and himself would want me there."

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

From this reading Under more ordinary circumstances she would have had a hard time to quiet the energetic youngsters, but now they had enough to occupy their minds, for when had they seen such gorgeous flowers, such wonderful ferns?