used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
advertisementsnounUS /ˈædvərtaɪzmənts/
plural of “advertisement” — a public promotion of some product or service
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
confined by bonds
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She said she would come for a month and by that time they could find a nurse.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
cancernounUS /ˈkænsər/
any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
Cecily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In January Cecily found her hands extremely full.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
permission to do something
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She said she would come for a month and by that time they could find a nurse.
cureverbUS /kjʊr/
provide a cure for, make healthy again
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
Ellen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading In January Cecily found her hands extremely full.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading She said she would come for a month and by that time they could find a nurse.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
set up or found
From this reading In January Cecily found her hands extremely full.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading In January Cecily found her hands extremely full.
guaranteedverbUS /ˌɡerənˈtiːd/
past form of “guarantee” — give surety or assume responsibility
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading In January Cecily found her hands extremely full.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
helplessnessnounUS /ˈhelpləsnəs/
powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In January Cecily found her hands extremely full.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
Horton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In January Cecily found her hands extremely full.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading In January Cecily found her hands extremely full.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
medicinenounUS /ˈmedəsən/
the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading She said she would come for a month and by that time they could find a nurse.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury
From this reading She said she would come for a month and by that time they could find a nurse.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
patentverbUS /ˈpætənt/
obtain a patent for
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
reassureverbUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊr/
cause to feel sure; give reassurance to
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
saggedverbUS /sæɡd/
inflected form of “sag” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She said she would come for a month and by that time they could find a nurse.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
carry out
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
express in words
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She said she would come for a month and by that time they could find a nurse.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She said she would come for a month and by that time they could find a nurse.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
the act of using
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ellen had an unexpected call to take care of a sick relative--she did not tell Cecily that it was Mrs. Horton--on whom tragedy in the form of cancer had descended.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Mr. Horton had come for Ellen, not daring to risk the telephone in his wife’s presence and at sight of the helplessness of the sagged figure at the kitchen door Ellen was bound to help.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She would not consent to an operation and Ellen’s duty was partly to take care of her, partly to reassure her, partly to keep her from answering patent medicine advertisements which “guaranteed to cure without the use of a knife.”
