used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
absentlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was a pity that she had not more things which could be dwelt upon with fond recollection; but it may be that she was dwelling fondly upon the recollection of what might have been.
the two together, not just one
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a pity that she had not more things which could be dwelt upon with fond recollection; but it may be that she was dwelling fondly upon the recollection of what might have been.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading There is much comfort to be got out of that kind of recollection even if it is not very real.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was a pity that she had not more things which could be dwelt upon with fond recollection; but it may be that she was dwelling fondly upon the recollection of what might have been.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading It was a pity that she had not more things which could be dwelt upon with fond recollection; but it may be that she was dwelling fondly upon the recollection of what might have been.
divisible by two
From this reading There is much comfort to be got out of that kind of recollection even if it is not very real.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
fondlyadverbUS /ˈfɑːndli/
with fondness; with love
From this reading It was a pity that she had not more things which could be dwelt upon with fond recollection; but it may be that she was dwelling fondly upon the recollection of what might have been.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading There is much comfort to be got out of that kind of recollection even if it is not very real.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There is much comfort to be got out of that kind of recollection even if it is not very real.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is much comfort to be got out of that kind of recollection even if it is not very real.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading There is much comfort to be got out of that kind of recollection even if it is not very real.
Ladue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There is much comfort to be got out of that kind of recollection even if it is not very real.
not any; not one
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading It was a pity that she had not more things which could be dwelt upon with fond recollection; but it may be that she was dwelling fondly upon the recollection of what might have been.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading There is much comfort to be got out of that kind of recollection even if it is not very real.
recallingverbUS /rɪˈkɔːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
recollectionnounUS /ˌrekəˈlekʃən/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
unfinishedadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪnɪʃt/
not brought to the desired final state
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
except if; if not
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
precisely as stated
From this reading There is much comfort to be got out of that kind of recollection even if it is not very real.
migratory
From this reading The letter was unfinished and it seemed likely that it might not be finished; not, at any rate, unless Mrs. Ladue brought her wandering thoughts back to it, although, to be sure, her thoughts may have had more to do with it than appeared.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was a pity that she had not more things which could be dwelt upon with fond recollection; but it may be that she was dwelling fondly upon the recollection of what might have been.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a pity that she had not more things which could be dwelt upon with fond recollection; but it may be that she was dwelling fondly upon the recollection of what might have been.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading She was gazing absently out of the window and in her eyes there was a look both tender and sad; a look that said plainly that her thoughts were far away and that she was recalling some things--pleasant things and sad--dwelling upon them with fond recollection, no doubt.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Ladue was sitting in her room with a letter in her lap.
