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 Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

somewhat ill or prone to illness

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

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

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

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

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

-ing form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

an imperfection in a bodily system

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

having made preparations

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

dreamy in mood or nature

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

be a farmer; work as a farmer

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

(of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

set up or found

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

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

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

possessive form of “girl” — a young female

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

past form of “grumble” — show one's unhappiness or critical attitude

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

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

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

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

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

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

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

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

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

the work of cleaning and running a house

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

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

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

advancing in amount or intensity

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

unskillfulness resulting from a lack of efficiency

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

a feeling of jealous envy (especially of a rival)

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

potentially existing but not presently evident or realized

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

gain knowledge or skills

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

without good reason

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

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

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

not any; not one

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

above and across; more than

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

past form of “rouse” — become active

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

in a serious manner

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

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

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

unhealthy looking

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

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

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

carry out

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

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

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

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

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

activity leading to skilled behavior

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Mattie had no natural turn for housekeeping, and her training had done nothing to remedy the defect.

emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading The sight made him unhappy, and his unhappiness roused his latent fears.

plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

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

From this reading She was quick to learn, but forgetful and dreamy, and not disposed to take the matter seriously.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading His wife had never shown any jealousy of Mattie, but of late she had grumbled increasingly over the house-work and found oblique ways of attracting attention to the girl’s inefficiency.

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

From this reading Zeena had always been what Starkfield called “sickly,” and Frome had to admit that, if she were as ailing as she believed, she needed the help of a stronger arm than the one which lay so lightly in his during the night walks to the farm.