adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
anxietynounUS /æŋˈzaɪəti/
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
armnounUS /ɑːrm/
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 He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
banishedverbUS /ˈbænɪʃt/
past form of “banish” — expel from a community or group
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
BIRTHnounUS /bɜːrθ/
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
blindnounUS /blaɪnd/
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
blowverbUS /bloʊ/
exhale hard
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/
brought into existence
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
caughtverbUS /kɑːt/
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
Clare's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
clutchedverbUS /klʌtʃt/
past form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/
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 Oh, Peter, if I die!”... and he had comforted and stroked her hair, warming her cold fingers.
comfortedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪd/
made comfortable or more comfortable in a time of distress
From this reading Oh, Peter, if I die!”... and he had comforted and stroked her hair, warming her cold fingers.
cryingadjectiveUS /ˈkraɪɪŋ/
demanding attention
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
dieverbUS /daɪ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
doctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
fierceadjectiveUS /fɪrs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
flamedverbUS /fleɪmd/
past form of “flame” — shine with a sudden light
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
flungverbUS /flʌŋ/
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/
coins made of gold
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
greyadjectiveUS /ɡreɪ/
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
hairnounUS /her/
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 Oh, Peter, if I die!”... and he had comforted and stroked her hair, warming her cold fingers.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
HEIRnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
heldadjectiveUS /held/
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
highadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
ludicrouslyadverbUS /ˈluːdəkrəsli/
so as to arouse or deserve laughter
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
moonnounUS /muːn/
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
OhnounUS /oʊ/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, Peter, if I die!”... and he had comforted and stroked her hair, warming her cold fingers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
PeternounUS /ˈpiːtər/
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
Peter'snounUS /ˈpiːtərz/
possessive form of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
pitifullyadverbUS /ˈpɪtɪfəli/
to a pitiful degree
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
sentnounUS /sent/
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He saw her always as he had seen her last night when she had caught his arm crying--“If I die, Peter....
shiningadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
shouldersnounUS /ˈʃoʊldərz/
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
starsnounUS /stɑːrz/
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
strokedverbUS /stroʊkt/
past form of “stroke” — touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
From this reading Oh, Peter, if I die!”... and he had comforted and stroked her hair, warming her cold fingers.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
tappingnounUS /ˈtæpɪŋ/
the sound of light blow or knock
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
terrornounUS /ˈterər/
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
warmingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːrmɪŋ/
imparting heat
From this reading Oh, Peter, if I die!”... and he had comforted and stroked her hair, warming her cold fingers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
weeksnounUS /wiːks/
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading During the afternoon the fear that had been in Clare's eyes for many weeks suddenly flamed into terror--the doctor was sent for and Peter was banished from the room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading BIRTH OF THE HEIR I Peter's child was born on a night of frost when the stars were hard and fierce and a full moon, dull gold, flung high shadows upon the town.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
woodnounUS /wʊd/
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Peter looked ludicrously, pitifully young as he sat, through the evening, in his room at the top of the house, staring in front of him, his face grey with anxiety, his broad shoulders set back as though ready for a blow; his strong fingers clutched the things on his writing-table, held them, dropped them, just like the hands of a blind man about the shining surface, tapping the wood.
