used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It did not seem a fitting time for the question she had come to ask about the spelling-school.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading It did not seem a fitting time for the question she had come to ask about the spelling-school.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading ASKING FOR “WHIZ.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
brushingnounUS /ˈbrʌʃɪŋ/
the act of brushing your teeth
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
dewdropnoun
a drop of dew
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not seem a fitting time for the question she had come to ask about the spelling-school.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading It did not seem a fitting time for the question she had come to ask about the spelling-school.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ASKING FOR “WHIZ.”
in a gradual manner
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
a young female
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
Gray'snounUS /ɡreɪz/
possessive form of “gray” — a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It did not seem a fitting time for the question she had come to ask about the spelling-school.
Julia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
locksnounUS /lɑːks/
plural of “lock” — a fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
feeling or showing love and affection
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
murmuringnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
immediately following in time or order
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
petalnounUS /ˈpetəl/
part of the perianth that is usually brightly colored
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading It did not seem a fitting time for the question she had come to ask about the spelling-school.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It did not seem a fitting time for the question she had come to ask about the spelling-school.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
with low volume
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
to a small degree or extent
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
spelling-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem a fitting time for the question she had come to ask about the spelling-school.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Julia was brushing Mrs. Gray’s hair, and Mary kissed the dark, silken locks which strayed over the pillow, murmuring, “Oh, how soft, how beautiful!”
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It did not seem a fitting time for the question she had come to ask about the spelling-school.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
at the time that
From this reading NEXT day Mrs. Gray was somewhat better, and when Mary knocked softly at the chamber door, Julia replied, “Come in.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The little girl had not expected to see her mother looking so pale and ill; and the tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned over the bed to give the loving kiss which she meant should fall as gently as a dewdrop on the petal of a rose.
WHIZnounUS /wɪz/
someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
From this reading ASKING FOR “WHIZ.”
