Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

(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 Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Master Oliver guessed this by instinct, as children always do.

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

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

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

From this reading Master Oliver guessed this by instinct, as children always do.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

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

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

used of riotously drunken merrymaking

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

show off

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

confined by bonds

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

lacking funds

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Master Oliver guessed this by instinct, as children always do.

a young person of either sex

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

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

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

relating to or characteristic of Christianity

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Master Oliver guessed this by instinct, as children always do.

a small replica of a person; used as a toy

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

plural of “doll” — a small replica of a person; used as a toy

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

put on clothes

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion

From this reading Her heart leaped with a sudden ecstasy, involuntary and uncontrollable.

divisible by two

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

put in effect

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

diffusing warmth and friendliness

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading Master Oliver guessed this by instinct, as children always do.

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

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

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

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Her heart leaped with a sudden ecstasy, involuntary and uncontrollable.

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

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

as many as a house will accommodate

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

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

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

incapable of being explained or accounted for

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading Master Oliver guessed this by instinct, as children always do.

with strained or eager attention

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

not subject to the control of the will

From this reading Her heart leaped with a sudden ecstasy, involuntary and uncontrollable.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

the sound of laughing

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Her heart leaped with a sudden ecstasy, involuntary and uncontrollable.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Master Oliver guessed this by instinct, as children always do.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

naughtily or annoyingly playful

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

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

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)

From this reading Master Oliver guessed this by instinct, as children always do.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

a child who has lost both parents

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

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

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

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

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

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

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

past form of “succumb” — consent reluctantly

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Her heart leaped with a sudden ecstasy, involuntary and uncontrollable.

superlative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

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

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.

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

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

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

From this reading Master Oliver guessed this by instinct, as children always do.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

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

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

in the direction of

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

difficult to solve or alleviate

From this reading Her heart leaped with a sudden ecstasy, involuntary and uncontrollable.

precisely as stated

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

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

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

at the time that

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

during the time that

From this reading In her face and manner was that inexplicable motherliness which some girls have even while nursing their dolls --some never; ay, though they may boast of a houseful of children--never!

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her heart leaped with a sudden ecstasy, involuntary and uncontrollable.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading Christian, the solitary governess, first the worse than orphan, and then the real orphan, without a friend or relative in the world, felt a child clinging round her neck--a child toward whom, by the laws of God and man, she was bound to fulfill all the duties of a mother--duties which, from the time when she insisted on having a "big doll," that she might dress it, not like a fine lady, but "like a baby," had always seemed to her the very sweetest in all the world.

but in spite of that

From this reading He looked at her intently, a queer, mischievous, yet penetrating look; then broke into a broad, genial laugh, quite Bacchic and succumbed.