used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
bell-cord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
coolernounUS /ˈkuːlər/
a refrigerator for cooling liquids
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
cotsnounUS /kɑːts/
plural of “cot” — a sheath worn to protect a finger
From this reading Yet the patients lay panting and sweltering on their cots.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
Danbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
danglingnounUS /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
desperationnounUS /ˌdespərˈeɪʃən/
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
dozedverbUS /doʊzd/
past form of “doze” — sleep lightly or for a short period of time
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
jerkedverbUS /dʒɜːrkt/
past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Yet the patients lay panting and sweltering on their cots.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
not any; not one
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Yet the patients lay panting and sweltering on their cots.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading Yet the patients lay panting and sweltering on their cots.
patientsnounUS /ˈpeɪʃənts/
plural of “patient” — a person who requires medical care
From this reading Yet the patients lay panting and sweltering on their cots.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
recurring again and again
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/
in a restless manner
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
swelteringadjectiveUS /ˈsweltərɪŋ/
excessively hot and humid or marked by sweating and faintness
From this reading Yet the patients lay panting and sweltering on their cots.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Yet the patients lay panting and sweltering on their cots.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
hard to endure
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
wakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peace, in her room, tossed and turned restlessly, dozed a few minutes, then wakened, changed her position, trying to find a cooler spot, and finally in desperation, raised her hand and jerked the bell-cord dangling at the head of her bed.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE RING THAT BUILT A HOSPITAL It was a hot June night.
whirnoun
sound of something in rapid motion
From this reading She could hear the answering whir in the hall outside, but no one came to minister to her wants, and after an impatient wait of a few seconds, she repeated the summons.
widestadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪdəst/
superlative of “wide” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Not a breath of air was stirring, and in the great Danbury Hospital every window was opened its widest.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet the patients lay panting and sweltering on their cots.
