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 Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

a feeling of delight at being entertained

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

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

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

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

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

possessive form of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

let fall to the ground

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

go or come after and bring or take back

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

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

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

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

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

a young female

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

possessive form of “girl” — a young female

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

an established custom

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

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

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

only a very short time before

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

a social unit living together

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

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

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

a state of separation between persons or groups

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

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

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

the action of attacking an enemy

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

feeling great rapture or delight

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

in a sarcastic manner

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

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 Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

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

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

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

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

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

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

carry out

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

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

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.

make physical contact with, come in contact with

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

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

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

at the time that

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

which person or people

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Frome was in the habit of walking into Starkfield to fetch home his wife’s cousin, Mattie Silver, on the rare evenings when some chance of amusement drew her to the village.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was his wife who had suggested, when the girl came to live with them, that such opportunities should be put in her way.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It was strange that the girl did not seem aware of it: that she could lift her rapt face to her dancer’s, and drop her hands into his, without appearing to feel the offence of his look and touch.

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

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

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

From this reading But for this—as Frome sardonically reflected—it would hardly have occurred to Zeena to take any thought for the girl’s amusement.

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

From this reading Mattie Silver came from Stamford, and when she entered the Fromes’ household to act as her cousin Zeena’s aid it was thought best, as she came without pay, not to let her feel too sharp a contrast between the life she had left and the isolation of a Starkfield farm.