used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
(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 The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
availedverbUS /əˈveɪld/
past form of “avail” — use to one's advantage
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The day had begun to dawn.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
chinchonanoun
any of several trees of the genus Cinchona
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
the first light of day
From this reading The day had begun to dawn.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The day had begun to dawn.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
dimnessnoun
the state of being poorly illuminated
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
drugsnounUS /drʌɡz/
plural of “drug” — a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Suddenly she raised her head and uttered a faint shriek.
Fantine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
feverishadjectiveUS /ˈfiːvərɪʃ/
marked by intense agitation or emotion
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The day had begun to dawn.
half-lightnoun
a greyish light (as at dawn or dusk or in dim interiors)
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Suddenly she raised her head and uttered a faint shriek.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
infirmarynounUS /ɪnˈfɜːrməri/
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
laboratorynounUS /ˈlæbrətɔːri/
a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
phials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
potionnounUS /ˈpoʊʃən/
a medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Suddenly she raised her head and uttered a faint shriek.
scrutinizingverbUS /ˈskruːtənaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “scrutinize” — to look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading Suddenly she raised her head and uttered a faint shriek.
Simplice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
sleeplessadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpləs/
experiencing or accompanied by sleeplessness
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
spreadsnounUS /spredz/
plural of “spread” — process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly she raised her head and uttered a faint shriek.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The day had begun to dawn.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The day had begun to dawn.
communicated in words
From this reading Suddenly she raised her head and uttered a faint shriek.
precisely as stated
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
visionsnounUS /ˈvɪʒənz/
plural of “vision” — a vivid mental image
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
which person or people
From this reading Sister Simplice, who had been watching with her, availed herself of this slumber to go and prepare a new potion of chinchona.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Fantine had passed a sleepless and feverish night, filled with happy visions; at daybreak she fell asleep.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading The worthy sister had been in the laboratory of the infirmary but a few moments, bending over her drugs and phials, and scrutinizing things very closely, on account of the dimness which the half-light of dawn spreads over all objects.
