used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
amazingadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
beadyadjectiveUS /ˈbiːdi/
small and round and shiny like a shiny bead or button
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
BiddynounUS /ˈbɪdi/
adult female chicken
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Up in Isabel's room the watchers came and went, dividing the hours.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
the first light of day
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
dividingverbUS /dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “divide” — separate into parts or portions
From this reading Up in Isabel's room the watchers came and went, dividing the hours.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Up in Isabel's room the watchers came and went, dividing the hours.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Up in Isabel's room the watchers came and went, dividing the hours.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
Isabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
Isabel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up in Isabel's room the watchers came and went, dividing the hours.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
not in physical motion
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
MOUNTAIN-TOP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
not any; not one
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
and nothing more
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
ottomannounUS /ˈɑːtəmən/
a Turk (especially a Turk who is a member of the tribe of Osman I)
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
perpetuallyadverbUS /pərˈpetʃuːəli/
everlastingly; for all time
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
postsnounUS /poʊsts/
plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
revelationnounUS /ˌrevəˈleɪʃən/
the speech act of making something evident
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Up in Isabel's room the watchers came and went, dividing the hours.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
starlessadjective
not starry; having no stars or starlike objects
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Up in Isabel's room the watchers came and went, dividing the hours.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
communicated in words
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading THE MOUNTAIN-TOP The night fell like a black veil, starless and still.
voluntaryadjectiveUS /ˈvɑːlənteri/
of your own free will or design; done by choice; not forced or compelled
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
watchersnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃərz/
plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading Up in Isabel's room the watchers came and went, dividing the hours.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Up in Isabel's room the watchers came and went, dividing the hours.
a Caucasian
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
which person or people
From this reading Like those who watched about her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelation of the Dawn.
wide-flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Only the nurse and old Biddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of the wide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of the bed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless face upon the pillow.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they know that Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, uttered no word, made no voluntary movement of any sort.
