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 When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

(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 Marry _for love_, or never marry at all."

Having no one else present.

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading She never would be alone any more.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Marry _for love_, or never marry at all."

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading She never would be alone any more.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

an unmarried woman who attends the bride at a wedding

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading With a shudder, a sense of dread indescribable, she remembered this.

dreamy in mood or nature

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

having the power of driving or impelling

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Marry _for love_, or never marry at all."

set up or found

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

destroyed or killed

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

defying expression or description

From this reading With a shudder, a sense of dread indescribable, she remembered this.

free from evil or guilt

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

the queen of Castile whose marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1469 marked the beginning of the modern state of Spain; they instituted the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 and sponsored the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492 (1451-1504)

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Marry _for love_, or never marry at all."

take in marriage

From this reading Marry _for love_, or never marry at all."

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

From this reading She never would be alone any more.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Marry _for love_, or never marry at all."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

and nothing more

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Marry _for love_, or never marry at all."

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

above and across; more than

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

not passionate

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

a polite refusal of an invitation

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading With a shudder, a sense of dread indescribable, she remembered this.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading With a shudder, a sense of dread indescribable, she remembered this.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

shake, as from cold

From this reading With a shudder, a sense of dread indescribable, she remembered this.

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

an acknowledgment of appreciation

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading With a shudder, a sense of dread indescribable, she remembered this.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

having passed out of existence

From this reading All her innocent, solitary, dreamy days quite over, her happiness vanished; her regrets become a crime.

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

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

at the time that

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

a Caucasian

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

which person or people

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a shudder, a sense of dread indescribable, she remembered this.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading When she descended, every ray of color had gone out of her face--it was white and passionless as stone; but she kissed the children all around, gave a little present to Isabella, who had been her only bridesmaid, shook hands and said a word or two of thanks to honest James Ferguson, her "father" for the day, and then found herself driving through the familiar streets--not alone.

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

From this reading She never would be alone any more.