used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
Amy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
Amy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
avidadjectiveUS /ˈævəd/
(often followed by “for”) ardently or excessively desirous
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
Deane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Mrs. Franklin was with them for dinner that night.
disturbingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
move gently or carefully
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mrs. Franklin was with them for dinner that night.
FranklinnounUS /ˈfræŋklɪn/
United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)
From this reading Mrs. Franklin was with them for dinner that night.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
HollandnounUS /ˈhɑːlənd/
a constitutional monarchy in western Europe on the North Sea; half the country lies below sea level
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
hurtsnounUS /hɜːrts/
plural of “hurt” — any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Franklin was with them for dinner that night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Mrs. Franklin was with them for dinner that night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mrs. Franklin was with them for dinner that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Mrs. Franklin was with them for dinner that night.
a special situation
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
trainingnounUS /ˈtreɪnɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading For one thing, she wanted to hear about her, she was avid for detail as to how she looked, things she had done and said--that curious human desire to press on a place that hurts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Franklin was with them for dinner that night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Amy's social training made it appear as if nothing were disturbing her.
at the time that
From this reading After dinner he had to go to the hospital and when she was alone with his mother Amy was not able to keep away from the subject of Ruth Holland.
which person or people
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She appeared wholly composed, serene; it was Deane who seemed ill at ease, out of sorts.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mrs. Franklin was with them for dinner that night.
