Chapter I

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

From this reading A DYING WOMAN'S COMMAND.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

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

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

eagerly desirous

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

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

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

plural of “attendant” — someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

a name given to a product or service

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

a large and stately mansion

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

any large and important church

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

a period of 100 years

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading A DYING WOMAN'S COMMAND.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading A DYING WOMAN'S COMMAND.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

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

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

opinion or judgment

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

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

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

bringing death

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

reflecting light

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

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

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

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

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

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

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

past form of “marshal” — place in proper rank

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

subject to death

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

not in physical motion

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

not any; not one

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

impressive in appearance

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

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

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

above and across; more than

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

appearing dead; not breathing or having no perceptible pulse

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

put or confide something in a person or thing

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

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

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

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

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

an intense or violent exertion

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

being or coming from on high

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

a county in southeastern England on the Thames

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

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

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

a source of difficulty

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

plural of “vial” — a small bottle that contains a drug (especially a sealed sterile container for injection by needle)

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

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

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

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

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

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

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

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

From this reading She was dying--good old Ethel Brand, the mistress for half a century of the hoary castle which stood like an ancient cathedral in the midst of the noble estate in Surrey, Seven-Oak Waaste.

during the time that

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.

in the company of; together with

From this reading No need for these grim medicine vials, marshaled upon the little table near her couch; she was past mortal needs or mortal help; her face, set in cold repose, seemed glistening with supernal light, while waiting for the fatal kiss of death.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading And over her bent a woman, breathless, pulseless, motionless, as if carved from stone, listening, with straining ear, for each slow, rattling breath; watching, with great, glistening eyes, for each darkening shadow over the noble face--Margaret Walsingham.

possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading A DYING WOMAN'S COMMAND.

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

From this reading No need now of these whispering attendants, and that anxious little physician; she would not trouble them more.