Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

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

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

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

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

movement that causes the formation of a curve

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

confusion resulting from failure to understand

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

a timepiece that shows the time of day

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

dearly loved

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

one or the other of two

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

organic compound formed by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

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

From this reading ESTER'S MINISTER.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

set up or found

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

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

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

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

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

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

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

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

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

plural of “inconvenience” — an inconvenient discomfort

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

the sound of laughing

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

a person authorized to conduct religious worship

From this reading ESTER'S MINISTER.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

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

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

above and across; more than

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

the event of something being raised upward

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

on the contrary

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

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

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

ready to fall asleep

From this reading "Breakfast!" echoed Ester, in a sleepy bewilderment, raising herself on one elbow, and gazing at her cousin.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

happening unexpectedly

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

express a supposition

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

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

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

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

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

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

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

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

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

at the time that

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

which person or people

From this reading Ester was dreaming that the old lady on the cars had become a fairy, and that her voice sounded like a silver bell, when she suddenly opened her eyes, and found that it was either the voice of the marble clock on the mantel, or of her Cousin Abbie, who was bending over her.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

an affirmative

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading "Yes, breakfast!"--this with a merry laugh "Did you suppose that people in New York lived without such inconveniences?"

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Do you feel able to get up to breakfast, Ester dear, or had you rather lie and rest?"